Method for transceiving enhanced physical downlink control channel in wireless access system supporting unlicensed band, and device supporting same

ABSTRACT

The present invention relates to a method for a terminal receiving an enhanced physical downlink control channel (EPDCCH) in a wireless access system supporting an unlicensed band, and the method may comprise the steps of: receiving, through an unlicensed-band cell (Ucell) configured in an unlicensed band, an EPDCCH comprising control information for scheduling the Ucell; and, on the basis of the control information, receiving downlink data from the Ucell. Here, if the EPDCCH is transmitted through a partial subframe (pSF), enhanced resource element groups (EREGs) constituting the EPDCCH are indexed from the start symbol of the pSF, and the pSF has a smaller size than one subframe, and the starting position of the pSF may not correspond to the subframe boundary of a primary cell (Pcell) configured in a licensed band.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present disclosure relates to a wireless access system supporting anunlicensed band, and to methods for configuring and scheduling a partialSubframe (pSF), and apparatuses supporting the same. More particularly,the present disclosure relates to a method for transmitting andreceiving an Enhanced Physical Downlink Control Channel (EPDCCH) in apSF.

BACKGROUND ART

Wireless access systems have been widely deployed to provide varioustypes of communication services such as voice or data. In general, awireless access system is a multiple access system that supportscommunication of multiple users by sharing available system resources (abandwidth, transmission power, etc.) among them. For example, multipleaccess systems include a Code Division Multiple Access (CDMA) system, aFrequency Division Multiple Access (FDMA) system, a Time DivisionMultiple Access (TDMA) system, an Orthogonal Frequency Division MultipleAccess (OFDMA) system, and a Single Carrier Frequency Division MultipleAccess (SC-FDMA) system.

DISCLOSURE Technical Problem

An object of the present disclosure is to provide a method forconfiguring a partial Subframe (pSF) defined in an unlicensed band in awireless access system supporting an unlicensed band.

Another object of the present disclosure is to provide, when a pSF isconfigured, various methods for scheduling the pSF. For example, across-carrier scheduling method, a self-carrier scheduling method, and ahybrid scheduling method are provided.

Another object of the present disclosure is to provide a method foroperating a Base Station (BS) and a User Equipment (UE) to manage a pSF.

Another object of the present disclosure is to provide a method forrestricting a scheduling scheme, when cross-carrier scheduling isapplied.

Another object of the present disclosure is to provide a method forindexing Enhanced Resource Element Groups (EREGs), when self-carrierscheduling is performed using an Enhanced Physical Downlink ControlChannel (EPDCCH) in an Unlicensed Cell (UCell).

Another object of the present disclosure is to provide, whenself-carrier scheduling is applied, a method for configuring andtransmitting an EPDCCH in a UCell and a method for decoding the EPDCCH.

Another object of the present disclosure is to provide a DemodulationReference Signal (DM-RS) pattern allocated to a pSF.

Another object of the present disclosure is to provide apparatusessupporting the above methods.

It will be appreciated by persons skilled in the art that the objectsthat could be achieved with the present disclosure are not limited towhat has been particularly described hereinabove and the above and otherobjects that the present disclosure could achieve will be more clearlyunderstood from the following detailed description.

Technical Solution

The present disclosure relates to a wireless access system supporting anunlicensed band, and to methods for configuring and scheduling a partialSubframe (pSF), and apparatuses supporting the same.

In an aspect of the present disclosure, a method for receiving anenhanced downlink physical control channel (EPDCCH) by a user equipment(UE) in a wireless access system supporting an unlicensed band mayinclude receiving, through an unlicensed band cell (UCell) configured inthe unlicensed band, an EPDCCH including control information forscheduling the UCell, and receiving downlink data in the UCell based onthe control information. If the EPDCCH is transmitted in a partialsubframe (pSF), enhanced resource element groups (EREGs) included in theEPDCCH may be indexed, starting from a starting symbol of the pSF, thepSF may be configured in a smaller size than one subframe, and astarting position of the pSF may not be aligned with a subframe boundaryof a primacy cell (PCell) configured in a licensed band.

In another aspect of the present disclosure, a UE for receiving anEPDCCH in a wireless access system supporting an unlicensed band mayinclude a receiver, and a processor configured to support EPDCCHreception. The processor may be configured to receive, through anunlicensed band cell (UCell) configured in the unlicensed band, anEPDCCH including control information for scheduling the UCell bycontrolling the receiver, and to receive downlink data in the UCellbased on the control information by controlling the receiver. If theEPDCCH is transmitted in a partial subframe (pSF), EREGs included in theEPDCCH may be indexed, starting from a starting symbol of the pSF, thepSF may be configured in a smaller size than one subframe, and astarting position of the pSF may not be aligned with a subframe boundaryof a primacy cell (PCell) configured in a licensed band.

The pSF may be configured to start in a second slot of a subframe of thePCell corresponding to the pSF.

The number of EREGs in an ECCE of the EPDCCH may be fixed to a presetvalue.

The preset value may be determined according to the number of symbols inthe pSF.

The number of EPDCCH decoding candidates for detecting the EPDCCH may bechanged according to the number of symbols in the pSF.

If the number of symbols in the pSF is equal to or less than a specificnumber, the EPDCCH may be configured in a Case 1 scheme, and if thenumber of EREGs in an ECCE of the EPDCCH is fixed to a preset value, theEPDCCH may be configured in a Case 2 scheme.

The EPDCCH may be configured by increasing an aggregation level of theEPDCCH in the Case 1 scheme, and the EPDCCH may be configured byreducing the number of ECCEs in the EPDCCH in the Case 2 scheme.

The above-described aspects of the present disclosure are merely someparts of the embodiments of the present disclosure and variousembodiments into which the technical features of the present disclosureare incorporated may be derived and understood by persons skilled in theart from the following detailed description of the present disclosure.

Advantageous Effects

Embodiments of the present disclosure have the following effects.

First, since various scheduling schemes such as cross-carrierscheduling, self-carrier scheduling, and hybrid scheduling are provided,radio resources can be scheduled adaptively for a License AssistedAccess (LAA) User Equipment (UE).

Secondly, resource waste that may occur in an LAA Unlicensed cell(UCell) can be prevented by providing a method for operating a BaseStation (BS) and a UE, for partial Subframe (pSF) management.

Thirdly, when cross-carrier scheduling is applied, a scheduling schemeapplied to a UE in a pSF is restricted. Therefore, waste of controlresources such as a Physical Downlink Control Channel (PDCCH) can beprevented.

Fourthly, when self-carrier scheduling is applied, a method forconfiguring and transmitting an Enhanced PDCCH (EPDCCH) in a UCell and amethod for decoding the EPDCCH can be provided. Because a pSF is not anormal SF, a legacy resource allocation scheme is not viable.Particularly in order to transmit an EPDCCH, the legacy resourceallocation scheme should be complemented. In the present disclosure,therefore, Resource Elements (REs) of resources in which a pSF isconfigured is labeled with new Enhanced Resource Element Group (EREG)indexes, the number of EREGs is fixed to a predetermined value, and anEREG aggregation level is increased, thereby enabling efficient, stablemapping of an EPDCCH.

Fifthly, since a Demodulation Reference Signal (DM-RS) pattern allocatedto a pSF is provided, a UE also performs channel estimation in the pSF.Consequently, data decoding performance can be increased.

It will be appreciated by persons skilled in the art that the effectsthat can be achieved with the present disclosure are not limited to whathas been particularly described hereinabove and other advantages of thepresent disclosure will be more clearly understood from the followingdetailed description taken in conjunction with the accompanyingdrawings. That is, those skilled in the art can derive unintendedeffects resulting from implementation of the present disclosure from theembodiments of the present disclosure.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The accompanying drawings, which are included to provide a furtherunderstanding of the disclosure, illustrate embodiments of thedisclosure and together with the description serve to explain theprinciple of the disclosure. In the drawings:

FIG. 1 is a view illustrating physical channels and a signaltransmission method using the physical channels;

FIG. 2 is a view illustrating exemplary radio frame structures;

FIG. 3 is a view illustrating an exemplary resource grid for theduration of a downlink slot;

FIG. 4 is a view illustrating an exemplary structure of an uplinksubframe;

FIG. 5 is a view illustrating an exemplary structure of a downlinksubframe;

FIG. 6 is a view illustrating an example of Component Carriers (CCs) andCarrier Aggregation (CA) in a Long Term Evolution-Advanced (LTE-A)system;

FIG. 7 is a view illustrating a subframe structure based oncross-carrier scheduling in the LTE-A system;

FIG. 8 is a view illustrating an exemplary serving cell configurationbased on cross-carrier scheduling;

FIG. 9 is a view illustrating one of methods for transmitting a SoundingReference Signal (SRS) used in embodiments of the present disclosure;

FIG. 10 is a view illustrating an exemplary subframe to whichCell-specific Reference Signals (CRSs) are allocated, which may be usedin embodiments of the present disclosure;

FIG. 11 is a view illustrating exemplary subframes to which ChannelState Information Reference Signals (CSI-RSs) are allocated according tothe number of antenna ports, which may be used in embodiments of thepresent disclosure;

FIG. 12 is a view illustrating exemplary multiplexing of a legacyPhysical Downlink Control Channel (PDCCH), a Physical Downlink SharedChannel (PDSCH), and an Enhanced PDCCH (EPDCCH) in an LTE/LTE-A system;

FIG. 13 is a view illustrating an exemplary CA environment supported inan LTE Unlicensed (LTE-U) system;

FIG. 14 is a diagram illustrating a signal flow for one of methods forconfiguring a Transmission Opportunity (TxOP);

FIG. 15 is a view illustrating an exemplary partial Subframe (pSF);

FIG. 16 is a view illustrating one of conditions that allow a BaseStation (BS) to perform pre-scheduling, when a Wireless Fidelity (WiFi)Access Point (AP) occupies a radio channel in an unlicensed band;

FIG. 17 is a view illustrating a pSF;

FIG. 18 is a view illustrating one of pre-scheduling methods;

FIG. 19 is a view illustrating one of CRS patterns;

FIG. 20 is a view illustrating a method for transmitting a downlinkphysical channel in a floating subframe;

FIG. 21 is a view illustrating a method for, when a floatingTransmission Time Interval (TTI) is configured, restricting the startingposition of the floating TTI;

FIG. 22 is a view illustrating one of methods for configuring the lengthof the last floating TTI of a downlink burst;

FIG. 23 is a view illustrating a method for configuring DemodulationReference Signals (DM-RSs) and an EPDCCH in PStart;

FIG. 24 is a view illustrating a method for configuring an EPDCCH foreach DM-RS pattern;

FIG. 25 is a diagram illustrating a signal flow for a method forrestricting a subframe that a UE decodes, when cross-carrier schedulingis configured for the UE;

FIG. 26 is a diagram illustrating a signal flow for self-carrierscheduling described in Section 4.2 from the perspective of signalingbetween a UE and a BS;

FIG. 27 is a diagram illustrating a signal flow for a method formeasuring and reporting Channel State Information (CSI), when a pSF isconfigured; and

FIG. 28 is a block diagram of apparatuses for performing the methodsdescribed with reference to FIGS. 1 to 27.

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION

The present disclosure relates to a wireless access system supporting anunlicensed band, and more particularly, to methods for configuring andscheduling a partial Subframe (pSF) and apparatuses supporting the same.

The embodiments of the present disclosure described below arecombinations of elements and features of the present disclosure inspecific forms. The elements or features may be considered selectiveunless otherwise mentioned. Each element or feature may be practicedwithout being combined with other elements or features. Further, anembodiment of the present disclosure may be constructed by combiningparts of the elements and/or features. Operation orders described inembodiments of the present disclosure may be rearranged. Someconstructions or elements of any one embodiment may be included inanother embodiment and may be replaced with corresponding constructionsor features of another embodiment.

In the description of the attached drawings, a detailed description ofknown procedures or steps of the present disclosure will be avoided lestit should obscure the subject matter of the present disclosure. Inaddition, procedures or steps that could be understood to those skilledin the art will not be described either.

Throughout the specification, when a certain portion “includes” or“comprises” a certain component, this indicates that other componentsare not excluded and may be further included unless otherwise noted. Theterms “unit”, “-or/er” and “module” described in the specificationindicate a unit for processing at least one function or operation, whichmay be implemented by hardware, software or a combination thereof. Inaddition, the terms “a or an”, “one”, “the” etc. may include a singularrepresentation and a plural representation in the context of the presentdisclosure (more particularly, in the context of the following claims)unless indicated otherwise in the specification or unless contextclearly indicates otherwise.

In the embodiments of the present disclosure, a description is mainlymade of a data transmission and reception relationship between a BaseStation (BS) and a User Equipment (UE). A BS refers to a terminal nodeof a network, which directly communicates with a UE. A specificoperation described as being performed by the BS may be performed by anupper node of the BS.

Namely, it is apparent that, in a network comprised of a plurality ofnetwork nodes including a BS, various operations performed forcommunication with a UE may be performed by the BS, or network nodesother than the BS. The term ‘BS’ may be replaced with a fixed station, aNode B, an evolved Node B (eNode B or eNB), an Advanced Base Station(ABS), an access point, etc.

In the embodiments of the present disclosure, the term terminal may bereplaced with a UE, a Mobile Station (MS), a Subscriber Station (SS), aMobile Subscriber Station (MSS), a mobile terminal, an Advanced MobileStation (AMS), etc.

A transmission end is a fixed and/or mobile node that provides a dataservice or a voice service and a reception end is a fixed and/or mobilenode that receives a data service or a voice service. Therefore, a UEmay serve as a transmission end and a BS may serve as a reception end,on an UpLink (UL). Likewise, the UE may serve as a reception end and theBS may serve as a transmission end, on a DownLink (DL).

The embodiments of the present disclosure may be supported by standardspecifications disclosed for at least one of wireless access systemsincluding an Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE)802.xx system, a 3^(rd) Generation Partnership Project (3GPP) system, a3GPP Long Term Evolution (LTE) system, and a 3GPP2 system. Inparticular, the embodiments of the present disclosure may be supportedby the standard specifications, 3GPP TS 36.211, 3GPP TS 36.212, 3GPP TS36.213, 3GPP TS 36.321 and 3GPP TS 36.331. That is, the steps or parts,which are not described to clearly reveal the technical idea of thepresent disclosure, in the embodiments of the present disclosure may beexplained by the above standard specifications. All terms used in theembodiments of the present disclosure may be explained by the standardspecifications.

Reference will now be made in detail to the embodiments of the presentdisclosure with reference to the accompanying drawings. The detaileddescription, which will be given below with reference to theaccompanying drawings, is intended to explain exemplary embodiments ofthe present disclosure, rather than to show the only embodiments thatcan be implemented according to the disclosure.

The following detailed description includes specific terms in order toprovide a thorough understanding of the present disclosure. However, itwill be apparent to those skilled in the art that the specific terms maybe replaced with other terms without departing the technical spirit andscope of the present disclosure.

For example, the term, TxOP may be used interchangeably withtransmission period or Reserved Resource Period (RRP) in the same sense.Further, a Listen-Before-Talk (LBT) procedure may be performed for thesame purpose as a carrier sensing procedure for determining whether achannel state is idle or busy.

Hereinafter, 3GPP LTE/LTE-A systems are explained, which are examples ofwireless access systems.

The embodiments of the present disclosure can be applied to variouswireless access systems such as Code Division Multiple Access (CDMA),Frequency Division Multiple Access (FDMA), Time Division Multiple Access(TDMA), Orthogonal Frequency Division Multiple Access (OFDMA), SingleCarrier Frequency Division Multiple Access (SC-FDMA), etc.

CDMA may be implemented as a radio technology such as UniversalTerrestrial Radio Access (UTRA) or CDMA2000. TDMA may be implemented asa radio technology such as Global System for Mobile communications(GSM)/General packet Radio Service (GPRS)/Enhanced Data Rates for GSMEvolution (EDGE). OFDMA may be implemented as a radio technology such asIEEE 802.11 (WiFi), IEEE 802.16 (WiMAX), IEEE 802.20, Evolved UTRA(E-UTRA), etc.

UTRA is a part of Universal Mobile Telecommunications System (UMTS).3GPP LTE is a part of Evolved UMTS (E-UMTS) using E-UTRA, adopting OFDMAfor DL and SC-FDMA for UL. LTE-Advanced (LTE-A) is an evolution of 3GPPLTE. While the embodiments of the present disclosure are described inthe context of a 3GPP LTE/LTE-A system in order to clarify the technicalfeatures of the present disclosure, the present disclosure is alsoapplicable to an IEEE 802.16e/m system, etc.

1.3GPP LTE/LTE-A System

In a wireless access system, a UE receives information from an eNB on aDL and transmits information to the eNB on a UL. The informationtransmitted and received between the UE and the eNB includes generaldata information and various types of control information. There aremany physical channels according to the types/usages of informationtransmitted and received between the eNB and the UE.

1.1 System Overview

FIG. 1 illustrates physical channels and a general signal transmissionmethod using the physical channels, which may be used in embodiments ofthe present disclosure.

When a UE is powered on or enters a new cell, the UE performs initialcell search (S11). The initial cell search involves acquisition ofsynchronization to an eNB. Specifically, the UE synchronizes its timingto the eNB and acquires information such as a cell Identifier (ID) byreceiving a Primary Synchronization Channel (P-SCH) and a SecondarySynchronization Channel (S-SCH) from the eNB.

Then the UE may acquire information broadcast in the cell by receiving aPhysical Broadcast Channel (PBCH) from the eNB.

During the initial cell search, the UE may monitor a DL channel state byreceiving a Downlink Reference Signal (DL RS).

After the initial cell search, the UE may acquire more detailed systeminformation by receiving a Physical Downlink Control Channel (PDCCH) andreceiving a Physical Downlink Shared Channel (PDSCH) based oninformation of the PDCCH (S12).

To complete connection to the eNB, the UE may perform a random accessprocedure with the eNB (S13 to S16). In the random access procedure, theUE may transmit a preamble on a Physical Random Access Channel (PRACH)(S13) and may receive a PDCCH and a PDSCH associated with the PDCCH(S14). In the case of contention-based random access, the UE mayadditionally perform a contention resolution procedure includingtransmission of an additional PRACH (S15) and reception of a PDCCHsignal and a PDSCH signal corresponding to the PDCCH signal (S16).

After the above procedure, the UE may receive a PDCCH and/or a PDSCHfrom the eNB (S17) and transmit a Physical Uplink Shared Channel (PUSCH)and/or a Physical Uplink Control Channel (PUCCH) to the eNB (S18), in ageneral UL/DL signal transmission procedure.

Control information that the UE transmits to the eNB is genericallycalled Uplink Control Information (UCI). The UCI includes a HybridAutomatic Repeat and reQuest Acknowledgement/Negative Acknowledgement(HARQ-ACK/NACK), a Scheduling Request (SR), a Channel Quality Indicator(CQI), a Precoding Matrix Index (PMI), a Rank Indicator (RI), etc.

In the LTE system, UCI is generally transmitted on a PUCCH periodically.However, if control information and traffic data should be transmittedsimultaneously, the control information and traffic data may betransmitted on a PUSCH. In addition, the UCI may be transmittedaperiodically on the PUSCH, upon receipt of a request/command from anetwork.

FIG. 2 illustrates exemplary radio frame structures used in embodimentsof the present disclosure.

FIG. 2(a) illustrates frame structure type 1. Frame structure type 1 isapplicable to both a full Frequency Division Duplex (FDD) system and ahalf FDD system.

One radio frame is 10 ms (Tf=307200·Ts) long, including equal-sized 20slots indexed from 0 to 19. Each slot is 0.5 ms (Tslot=15360·Ts) long.One subframe includes two successive slots. An i^(th) subframe includes2i^(th) and (2i+1)^(th) slots. That is, a radio frame includes 10subframes. A time required for transmitting one subframe is defined as aTransmission Time Interval (TTI). Ts is a sampling time given asTs=1/(15 kHz×2048)=3.2552×10-8 (about 33 ns). One slot includes aplurality of Orthogonal Frequency Division Multiplexing (OFDM) symbolsor SC-FDMA symbols in the time domain by a plurality of Resource Blocks(RBs) in the frequency domain.

A slot includes a plurality of OFDM symbols in the time domain. SinceOFDMA is adopted for DL in the 3GPP LTE system, one OFDM symbolrepresents one symbol period. An OFDM symbol may be called an SC-FDMAsymbol or symbol period. An RB is a resource allocation unit including aplurality of contiguous subcarriers in one slot.

In a full FDD system, each of 10 subframes may be used simultaneouslyfor DL transmission and UL transmission during a 10-ms duration. The DLtransmission and the UL transmission are distinguished by frequency. Onthe other hand, a UE cannot perform transmission and receptionsimultaneously in a half FDD system.

The above radio frame structure is purely exemplary. Thus, the number ofsubframes in a radio frame, the number of slots in a subframe, and thenumber of OFDM symbols in a slot may be changed.

FIG. 2(b) illustrates frame structure type 2. Frame structure type 2 isapplied to a Time Division Duplex (TDD) system. One radio frame is 10 ms(Tf=307200·Ts) long, including two half-frames each having a length of 5ms (=153600·Ts) long. Each half-frame includes five subframes each being1 ms (=30720·Ts) long. An ith subframe includes 2ith and (2i+1)th slotseach having a length of 0.5 ms (Tslot=15360·Ts). Ts is a sampling timegiven as Ts=1/(15 kHz×2048)=3.2552×10-8 (about 33 ns).

A type-2 frame includes a special subframe having three fields, DownlinkPilot Time Slot (DwPTS), Guard Period (GP), and Uplink Pilot Time Slot(UpPTS). The DwPTS is used for initial cell search, synchronization, orchannel estimation at a UE, and the UpPTS is used for channel estimationand UL transmission synchronization with a UE at an eNB. The GP is usedto cancel UL interference between a UL and a DL, caused by themulti-path delay of a DL signal.

[Table 1] below lists special subframe configurations (DwPTS/GP/UpPTSlengths).

TABLE 1 Normal cyclic prefix in downlink UpPTS Extended cyclic prefix indownlink Normal Extended UpPTS Special subframe cyclic prefix cyclicprefix Normal cyclic Extended cyclic configuration DwPTS in uplink inuplink DwPTS prefix in uplink prefix in uplink 0  6592 · T_(s) 2192 ·T_(s) 2560 · T_(s)  7680 · T_(s) 2192 · T_(s) 2560 · T_(s) 1 19760 ·T_(s) 20480 · T_(s) 2 21952 · T_(s) 23040 · T_(s) 3 24144 · T_(s) 25600· T_(s) 4 26336 · T_(s)  7680 · T_(s) 4384 · T_(s) 5120 · T_(s) 5  6592· T_(s) 4384 · T_(s) 5120 · T_(s) 20480 · T_(s) 6 19760 · T_(s) 23040 ·T_(s) 7 21952 · T_(s) 12800 · T_(s) 8 24144 · T_(s) — — — 9 13168 ·T_(s) — — —

FIG. 3 illustrates an exemplary structure of a DL resource grid for theduration of one DL slot, which may be used in embodiments of the presentdisclosure.

Referring to FIG. 3, a DL slot includes a plurality of OFDM symbols inthe time domain. One DL slot includes 7 OFDM symbols in the time domainand an RB includes 12 subcarriers in the frequency domain, to which thepresent disclosure is not limited.

Each element of the resource grid is referred to as a Resource Element(RE). An RB includes 12×7 REs. The number of RBs in a DL slot, NDLdepends on a DL transmission bandwidth. A UL slot may have the samestructure as a DL slot.

FIG. 4 illustrates a structure of a UL subframe which may be used inembodiments of the present disclosure.

Referring to FIG. 4, a UL subframe may be divided into a control regionand a data region in the frequency domain. A PUCCH carrying UCI isallocated to the control region and a PUSCH carrying user data isallocated to the data region. To maintain a single carrier property, aUE does not transmit a PUCCH and a PUSCH simultaneously. A pair of RBsin a subframe are allocated to a PUCCH for a UE. The RBs of the RB pairoccupy different subcarriers in two slots. Thus it is said that the RBpair frequency-hops over a slot boundary.

FIG. 5 illustrates a structure of a DL subframe that may be used inembodiments of the present disclosure.

Referring to FIG. 5, up to three OFDM symbols of a DL subframe, startingfrom OFDM symbol 0 are used as a control region to which controlchannels are allocated and the other OFDM symbols of the DL subframe areused as a data region to which a PDSCH is allocated. DL control channelsdefined for the 3GPP LTE system include a Physical Control FormatIndicator Channel (PCFICH), a PDCCH, and a Physical Hybrid ARQ IndicatorChannel (PHICH).

The PCFICH is transmitted in the first OFDM symbol of a subframe,carrying information about the number of OFDM symbols used fortransmission of control channels (i.e. the size of the control region)in the subframe. The PHICH is a response channel to a UL transmission,delivering an HARQ ACK/NACK signal. Control information carried on thePDCCH is called Downlink Control Information (DCI). The DCI transportsUL resource assignment information, DL resource assignment information,or UL Transmission (Tx) power control commands for a UE group.

1.2 Physical Downlink Control Channel (PDCCH)

1.2.1 PDCCH Overview

The PDCCH may deliver information about resource allocation and atransport format for a Downlink Shared Channel (DL-SCH) (i.e. a DLgrant), information about resource allocation and a transport format foran Uplink Shared Channel (UL-SCH) (i.e. a UL grant), paging informationof a Paging Channel (PCH), system information on the DL-SCH, informationabout resource allocation for a higher-layer control message such as arandom access response transmitted on the PDSCH, a set of Tx powercontrol commands for individual UEs of a UE group, Voice Over InternetProtocol (VoIP) activation indication information, etc.

A plurality of PDCCHs may be transmitted in the control region. A UE maymonitor a plurality of PDCCHs. A PDCCH is transmitted in an aggregate ofone or more consecutive Control Channel Elements (CCEs). A PDCCH made upof one or more consecutive CCEs may be transmitted in the control regionafter subblock interleaving. A CCE is a logical allocation unit used toprovide a PDCCH at a code rate based on the state of a radio channel. ACCE includes a plurality of RE Groups (REGs). The format of a PDCCH andthe number of available bits for the PDCCH are determined according tothe relationship between the number of CCEs and a code rate provided bythe CCEs.

1.2.2 PDCCH Structure

A plurality of PDCCHs for a plurality of UEs may be multiplexed andtransmitted in the control region. A PDCCH is made up of an aggregate ofone or more consecutive CCEs. A CCE is a unit of 9 REGs each REGincluding 4 REs. Four Quadrature Phase Shift Keying (QPSK) symbols aremapped to each REG. REs occupied by RSs are excluded from REGs. That is,the total number of REGs in an OFDM symbol may be changed depending onthe presence or absence of a cell-specific RS. The concept of an REG towhich four REs are mapped is also applicable to other DL controlchannels (e.g. the PCFICH or the PHICH). Let the number of REGs that arenot allocated to the PCFICH or the PHICH be denoted by NREG. Then thenumber of CCEs available to the system is NCCE (=└N_(REG)/9┘) and theCCEs are indexed from 0 to NCCE−1.

To simplify the decoding process of a UE, a PDCCH format including nCCEs may start with a CCE having an index equal to a multiple of n. Thatis, given CCE,i the PDCCH format may start with a CCE satisfying i modn=0.

The eNB may configure a PDCCH with 1, 2, 4, or 8 CCEs. {1, 2, 4, 8} arecalled CCE aggregation levels. The number of CCEs used for transmissionof a PDCCH is determined according to a channel state by the eNB. Forexample, one CCE is sufficient for a PDCCH directed to a UE in a good DLchannel state (a UE near to the eNB). On the other hand, 8 CCEs may berequired for a PDCCH directed to a UE in a poor DL channel state (a UEat a cell edge) in order to ensure sufficient robustness.

[Table 2] below illustrates PDCCH formats. 4 PDCCH formats are supportedaccording to CCE aggregation levels as illustrated in [Table 2].

TABLE 2 PDCCH Number of Number of Number of format CCE (n) REG PDCCHbits 0 1 9 72 1 2 18 144 2 4 36 288 3 8 72 576

A different CCE aggregation level is allocated to each UE because theformat or Modulation and Coding Scheme (MCS) level of controlinformation delivered in a PDCCH for the UE is different. An MCS leveldefines a code rate used for data coding and a modulation order. Anadaptive MCS level is used for link adaptation. In general, three orfour MCS levels may be considered for control channels carrying controlinformation.

Regarding the formats of control information, control informationtransmitted on a PDCCH is called DCI. The configuration of informationin PDCCH payload may be changed depending on the DCI format. The PDCCHpayload is information bits. [Table 3] lists DCI according to DCIformats.

TABLE 3 DCI Format Description Format 0 Resource grants for PUSCHtransmissions (uplink) Format 1 Resource assignments for single codewordPDSCH transmission (transmission modes 1, 2 and 7) Format 1A Compactsignaling of resource assignments for single codeword PDSCH (all modes)Format 1B Compact resource assignments for PDSCH using rank-1 closedloop preceding (mode 6) Format 1C Very compact resource assignments forPDSCH (e.g., paging/broadcast system information) Format 1D Compactresource assignments for PDSCH using multi-user MIMO (mode 5) Format 2Resource assignments for PDSCH for closed loop MIMO operation (mode 4)Format 2A resource assignments for PDSCH for open loop MIMO operation(mode 3) Format 3/3A Power control commands for PUCCH and PUSCH with2-bit/1-bit power adjustment Format 4 Scheduling of PUSCH in one UL cellwith multi- antenna port transmission mode

Referring to [Table 3], the DCI formats include Format 0 for PUSCHscheduling, Format 1 for single-codeword PDSCH scheduling, Format 1A forcompact single-codeword PDSCH scheduling, Format 1C for very compactDL-SCH scheduling, Format 2 for PDSCH scheduling in a closed-loopspatial multiplexing mode, Format 2A for PDSCH scheduling in anopen-loop spatial multiplexing mode, and Format 3/3A for transmission ofTransmission Power Control (TPC) commands for uplink channels. DCIFormat 1A is available for PDSCH scheduling irrespective of thetransmission mode of a UE.

The length of PDCCH payload may vary with DCI formats. In addition, thetype and length of PDCCH payload may be changed depending on compact ornon-compact scheduling or the transmission mode of a UE.

The transmission mode of a UE may be configured for DL data reception ona PDSCH at the UE. For example, DL data carried on a PDSCH includesscheduled data, a paging message, a random access response, broadcastinformation on a BCCH, etc. for a UE. The DL data of the PDSCH isrelated to a DCI format signaled through a PDCCH. The transmission modemay be configured semi-statically for the UE by higher-layer signaling(e.g. Radio Resource Control (RRC) signaling). The transmission mode maybe classified as single antenna transmission or multi-antennatransmission.

A transmission mode is configured for a UE semi-statically byhigher-layer signaling. For example, multi-antenna transmission schememay include transmit diversity, open-loop or closed-loop spatialmultiplexing, Multi-User Multiple Input Multiple Output (MU-MIMO), orbeamforming. Transmit diversity increases transmission reliability bytransmitting the same data through multiple Tx antennas. Spatialmultiplexing enables high-speed data transmission without increasing asystem bandwidth by simultaneously transmitting different data throughmultiple Tx antennas. Beamforming is a technique of increasing theSignal to Interference plus Noise Ratio (SINR) of a signal by weightingmultiple antennas according to channel states.

A DCI format for a UE depends on the transmission mode of the UE. The UEhas a reference DCI format monitored according to the transmission modeconfigure for the UE. The following 10 transmission modes are availableto UEs:

(1) Transmission mode 1: Single antenna port (port 0);

(2) Transmission mode 2: Transmit diversity;

(3) Transmission mode 3: Open-loop spatial multiplexing when the numberof layer is larger than 1 or Transmit diversity when the rank is 1;

(4) Transmission mode 4: Closed-loop spatial multiplexing;

(5) Transmission mode 5: MU-MIMO;

(6) Transmission mode 6: Closed-loop rank-1 precoding;

(7) Transmission mode 7: Precoding supporting a single layertransmission, which is not based on a codebook (Rel-8);

(8) Transmission mode 8: Precoding supporting up to two layers, whichare not based on a codebook (Rel-9);

(9) Transmission mode 9: Precoding supporting up to eight layers, whichare not based on a codebook (Rel-10); and

(10) Transmission mode 10: Precoding supporting up to eight layers,which are not based on a codebook, used for CoMP (Rel-11).

1.2.3 PDCCH Transmission

The eNB determines a PDCCH format according to DCI that will betransmitted to the UE and adds a Cyclic Redundancy Check (CRC) to thecontrol information. The CRC is masked by a unique Identifier (ID) (e.g.a Radio Network Temporary Identifier (RNTI)) according to the owner orusage of the PDCCH. If the PDCCH is destined for a specific UE, the CRCmay be masked by a unique ID (e.g. a cell-RNTI (C-RNTI)) of the UE. Ifthe PDCCH carries a paging message, the CRC of the PDCCH may be maskedby a paging indicator ID (e.g. a Paging-RNTI (P-RNTI)). If the PDCCHcarries system information, particularly, a System Information Block(SIB), its CRC may be masked by a system information ID (e.g. a SystemInformation RNTI (SI-RNTI)). To indicate that the PDCCH carries a randomaccess response to a random access preamble transmitted by a UE, its CRCmay be masked by a Random Access-RNTI (RA-RNTI).

Then, the eNB generates coded data by channel-encoding the CRC-addedcontrol information. The channel coding may be performed at a code ratecorresponding to an MCS level. The eNB rate-matches the coded dataaccording to a CCE aggregation level allocated to a PDCCH format andgenerates modulation symbols by modulating the coded data. Herein, amodulation order corresponding to the MCS level may be used for themodulation. The CCE aggregation level for the modulation symbols of aPDCCH may be one of 1, 2, 4, and 8. Subsequently, the eNB maps themodulation symbols to physical REs (i.e. CCE to RE mapping).

1.2.4 Blind Decoding (BD)

A plurality of PDCCHs may be transmitted in a subframe. That is, thecontrol region of a subframe includes a plurality of CCEs, CCE 0 to CCENCCE,k−1. NCCE,k is the total number of CCEs in the control region of akth subframe. A UE monitors a plurality of PDCCHs in every subframe.This means that the UE attempts to decode each PDCCH according to amonitored PDCCH format.

The eNB does not provide the UE with information about the position of aPDCCH directed to the UE in an allocated control region of a subframe.Without knowledge of the position, CCE aggregation level, or DCI formatof its PDCCH, the UE searches for its PDCCH by monitoring a set of PDCCHcandidates in the subframe in order to receive a control channel fromthe eNB. This is called blind decoding. Blind decoding is the process ofdemasking a CRC part with a UE ID, checking a CRC error, and determiningwhether a corresponding PDCCH is a control channel directed to a UE bythe UE.

The UE monitors a PDCCH in every subframe to receive data transmitted tothe UE in an active mode. In a Discontinuous Reception (DRX) mode, theUE wakes up in a monitoring interval of every DRX cycle and monitors aPDCCH in a subframe corresponding to the monitoring interval. ThePDCCH-monitored subframe is called a non-DRX subframe.

To receive its PDCCH, the UE should blind-decode all CCEs of the controlregion of the non-DRX subframe. Without knowledge of a transmitted PDCCHformat, the UE should decode all PDCCHs with all possible CCEaggregation levels until the UE succeeds in blind-decoding a PDCCH inevery non-DRX subframe. Since the UE does not know the number of CCEsused for its PDCCH, the UE should attempt detection with all possibleCCE aggregation levels until the UE succeeds in blind decoding of aPDCCH.

In the LTE system, the concept of Search Space (SS) is defined for blinddecoding of a UE. An SS is a set of PDCCH candidates that a UE willmonitor. The SS may have a different size for each PDCCH format. Thereare two types of SSs, Common Search Space (CSS) andUE-specific/Dedicated Search Space (USS).

While all UEs may know the size of a CSS, a USS may be configured foreach individual UE. Accordingly, a UE should monitor both a CSS and aUSS to decode a PDCCH. As a consequence, the UE performs up to 44 blinddecodings in one subframe, except for blind decodings based on differentCRC values (e.g., C-RNTI, P-RNTI, SI-RNTI, and RA-RNTI).

In view of the constraints of an SS, the eNB may not secure CCEresources to transmit PDCCHs to all intended UEs in a given subframe.This situation occurs because the remaining resources except forallocated CCEs may not be included in an SS for a specific UE. Tominimize this obstacle that may continue in the next subframe, aUE-specific hopping sequence may apply to the starting position of aUSS.

[Table 4] illustrates the sizes of CSSs and USSs.

TABLE 4 PDCCH Number of Number of Number of Format CCE (n) candidates inCSS candidates in USS 0 1 — 6 1 2 — 6 2 4 4 2 3 8 2 2

To mitigate the load of the UE caused by the number of blind decodingattempts, the UE does not search for all defined DCI formatssimultaneously. Specifically, the UE always searches for DCI Format 0and DCI Format 1A in a USS. Although DCI Format 0 and DCI Format 1A areof the same size, the UE may distinguish the DCI formats by a flag forformat 0/format 1a differentiation included in a PDCCH. Other DCIformats than DCI Format 0 and DCI Format 1A, such as DCI Format 1, DCIFormat 1B, and DCI Format 2 may be required for the UE.

The UE may search for DCI Format 1A and DCI Format 1C in a CSS. The UEmay also be configured to search for DCI Format 3 or 3A in the CSS.Although DCI Format 3 and DCI Format 3A have the same size as DCI Format0 and DCI Format 1A, the UE may distinguish the DCI formats by a CRCscrambled with an ID other than a UE-specific ID.

An SS S_(k) ^((L)) is a PDCCH candidate set with a CCE aggregation levelL∈{1,2,4,8}. The CCEs of PDCCH candidate set m in the SS may bedetermined by the following equation.L·{(Y _(k) +m)mod└N _(CCE,k) /L┘}+i  [Equation 1]

Herein, M^((L)) is the number of PDCCH candidates with CCE aggregationlevel L to be monitored in the SS, m=0, . . . , M^((L))−1,i is the indexof a CCE in each PDCCH candidate, and i=0, . . . , L−1, k=└n_(s)/2┘where n_(s) is the index of a slot in a radio frame.

As described before, the UE monitors both the USS and the CSS to decodea PDCCH. The CSS supports PDCCHs with CCE aggregation levels {4, 8} andthe USS supports PDCCHs with CCE aggregation levels {1, 2, 4, 8}. [Table5] illustrates PDCCH candidates monitored by a UE.

TABLE 5 Search space S_(k) ^((L)) Number of PDCCH Type Aggregation levelL Size [in CCEs] candidates M^((L)) UE-specific 1 6 6 2 12 6 4 8 2 8 162 Common 4 16 4 8 16 2

Referring to [Equation 1], for two aggregation levels, L=4 and L=8,Y_(k) is set to 0 in the CSS, whereas Y_(k) is defined by [Equation 2]for aggregation level L in the USS.Y _(k)=(A·Y _(k−1))mod D  [Equation 2]

Herein, Y⁻¹=n_(RNTI)≠0, n_(RNTI) indicating an RNTI value. A=39827 andD=65537.

2. Carrier Aggregation (CA) Environment

2.1 CA Overview

A 3GPP LTE system (conforming to Rel-8 or Rel-9) (hereinafter, referredto as an LTE system) uses Multi-Carrier Modulation (MCM) in which asingle Component Carrier (CC) is divided into a plurality of bands. Incontrast, a 3GPP LTE-A system (hereinafter, referred to an LTE-A system)may use CA by aggregating one or more CCs to support a broader systembandwidth than the LTE system. The term CA is interchangeably used withcarrier combining, multi-CC environment, or multi-carrier environment.

In the present disclosure, multi-carrier means CA (or carriercombining). Herein, CA covers aggregation of contiguous carriers andaggregation of non-contiguous carriers. The number of aggregated CCs maybe different for a DL and a UL. If the number of DL CCs is equal to thenumber of UL CCs, this is called symmetric aggregation. If the number ofDL CCs is different from the number of UL CCs, this is called asymmetricaggregation. The term CA is interchangeable with carrier combining,bandwidth aggregation, spectrum aggregation, etc.

The LTE-A system aims to support a bandwidth of up to 100 MHz byaggregating two or more CCs, that is, by CA. To guarantee backwardcompatibility with a legacy IMT system, each of one or more carriers,which has a smaller bandwidth than a target bandwidth, may be limited toa bandwidth used in the legacy system.

For example, the legacy 3GPP LTE system supports bandwidths {1.4, 3, 5,10, 15, and 20 MHz} and the 3GPP LTE-A system may support a broaderbandwidth than 20 MHz using these LTE bandwidths. A CA system of thepresent disclosure may support CA by defining a new bandwidthirrespective of the bandwidths used in the legacy system.

There are two types of CA, intra-band CA and inter-band CA. Intra-bandCA means that a plurality of DL CCs and/or UL CCs are successive oradjacent in frequency. In other words, the carrier frequencies of the DLCCs and/or UL CCs are positioned in the same band. On the other hand, anenvironment where CCs are far away from each other in frequency may becalled inter-band CA. In other words, the carrier frequencies of aplurality of DL CCs and/or UL CCs are positioned in different bands. Inthis case, a UE may use a plurality of Radio Frequency (RF) ends toconduct communication in a CA environment.

The LTE-A system adopts the concept of cell to manage radio resources.The above-described CA environment may be referred to as a multi-cellenvironment. A cell is defined as a pair of DL and UL CCs, although theUL resources are not mandatory. Accordingly, a cell may be configuredwith DL resources alone or DL and UL resources.

For example, if one serving cell is configured for a specific UE, the UEmay have one DL CC and one UL CC. If two or more serving cells areconfigured for the UE, the UE may have as many DL CCs as the number ofthe serving cells and as many UL CCs as or fewer UL CCs than the numberof the serving cells, or vice versa. That is, if a plurality of servingcells are configured for the UE, a CA environment using more UL CCs thanDL CCs may also be supported.

CA may be regarded as aggregation of two or more cells having differentcarrier frequencies (center frequencies). Herein, the term ‘cell’ shouldbe distinguished from ‘cell’ as a geographical area covered by an eNB.Hereinafter, intra-band CA is referred to as intra-band multi-cell andinter-band CA is referred to as inter-band multi-cell.

In the LTE-A system, a Primacy Cell (PCell) and a Secondary Cell (SCell)are defined. A PCell and an SCell may be used as serving cells. For a UEin RRC_CONNECTED state, if CA is not configured for the UE or the UEdoes not support CA, a single serving cell including only a PCell existsfor the UE. On the contrary, if the UE is in RRC_CONNECTED state and CAis configured for the UE, one or more serving cells may exist for theUE, including a PCell and one or more SCells.

Serving cells (PCell and SCell) may be configured by an RRC parameter. Aphysical-layer ID of a cell, PhysCellId is an integer value ranging from0 to 503. A short ID of an SCell, SCellIndex is an integer value rangingfrom 1 to 7. A short ID of a serving cell (PCell or SCell),ServeCellIndex is an integer value ranging from 1 to 7. IfServeCellIndex is 0, this indicates a PCell and the values ofServeCellIndex for SCells are pre-assigned. That is, the smallest cellID (or cell index) of ServeCellIndex indicates a PCell.

A PCell refers to a cell operating in a primary frequency (or a primaryCC). A UE may use a PCell for initial connection establishment orconnection reestablishment. The PCell may be a cell indicated duringhandover. In addition, the PCell is a cell responsible forcontrol-related communication among serving cells configured in a CAenvironment. That is, PUCCH allocation and transmission for the UE maytake place only in the PCell. In addition, the UE may use only the PCellin acquiring system information or changing a monitoring procedure. AnEvolved Universal Terrestrial Radio Access Network (E-UTRAN) may changeonly a PCell for a handover procedure by a higher-layerRRCConnectionReconfiguraiton message including mobilityControlInfo to aUE supporting CA.

An SCell may refer to a cell operating in a secondary frequency (or asecondary CC). Although only one PCell is allocated to a specific UE,one or more SCells may be allocated to the UE. An SCell may beconfigured after RRC connection establishment and may be used to provideadditional radio resources. There is no PUCCH in cells other than aPCell, that is, in SCells among serving cells configured in the CAenvironment.

When the E-UTRAN adds an SCell to a UE supporting CA, the E-UTRAN maytransmit all system information related to operations of related cellsin RRC_CONNECTED state to the UE by dedicated signaling. Changing systeminformation may be controlled by releasing and adding a related SCell.Herein, a higher-layer RRCConnectionReconfiguration message may be used.The E-UTRAN may transmit a dedicated signal having a different parameterfor each cell rather than it broadcasts in a related SCell.

After an initial security activation procedure starts, the E-UTRAN mayconfigure a network including one or more SCells by adding the SCells toa PCell initially configured during a connection establishmentprocedure. In the CA environment, each of a PCell and an SCell mayoperate as a CC. Hereinbelow, a Primary CC (PCC) and a PCell may be usedin the same meaning and a Secondary CC (SCC) and an SCell may be used inthe same meaning in embodiments of the present disclosure.

FIG. 6 illustrates an example of CCs and CA in the LTE-A system, whichare used in embodiments of the present disclosure.

FIG. 6(a) illustrates a single carrier structure in the LTE system.There are a DL CC and a UL CC and one CC may have a frequency range of20 MHz.

FIG. 6(b) illustrates a CA structure in the LTE-A system. In theillustrated case of FIG. 6(b), three CCs each having 20 MHz areaggregated. While three DL CCs and three UL CCs are configured, thenumbers of DL CCs and UL CCs are not limited. In CA, a UE may monitorthree CCs simultaneously, receive a DL signal/DL data in the three CCs,and transmit a UL signal/UL data in the three CCs.

If a specific cell manages N DL CCs, the network may allocate M (M≤N) DLCCs to a UE. The UE may monitor only the M DL CCs and receive a DLsignal in the M DL CCs. The network may prioritize L (L≤M≤N) DL CCs andallocate a main DL CC to the UE. In this case, the UE should monitor theL DL CCs. The same thing may apply to UL transmission.

The linkage between the carrier frequencies of DL resources (or DL CCs)and the carrier frequencies of UL resources (or UL CCs) may be indicatedby a higher-layer message such as an RRC message or by systeminformation. For example, a set of DL resources and UL resources may beconfigured based on linkage indicated by System Information Block Type 2(SIB2). Specifically, DL-UL linkage may refer to a mapping relationshipbetween a DL CC carrying a PDCCH with a UL grant and a UL CC using theUL grant, or a mapping relationship between a DL CC (or a UL CC)carrying HARQ data and a UL CC (or a DL CC) carrying an HARQ ACK/NACKsignal.

2.2 Cross-Carrier Scheduling

Two scheduling schemes, self-scheduling and cross-carrier scheduling aredefined for a CA system, from the perspective of carriers or servingcells. Cross-carrier scheduling may be called cross CC scheduling orcross cell scheduling.

In self-scheduling, a PDCCH (carrying a DL grant) and a PDSCH aretransmitted in the same DL CC or a PUSCH is transmitted in a UL CClinked to a DL CC in which a PDCCH (carrying a UL grant) is received.

In cross-carrier scheduling, a PDCCH (carrying a DL grant) and a PDSCHare transmitted in different DL CCs or a PUSCH is transmitted in a UL CCother than a UL CC linked to a DL CC in which a PDCCH (carrying a ULgrant) is received.

Cross-carrier scheduling may be activated or deactivated UE-specificallyand indicated to each UE semi-statically by higher-layer signaling (e.g.RRC signaling).

If cross-carrier scheduling is activated, a Carrier Indicator Field(CIF) is required in a PDCCH to indicate a DL/UL CC in which aPDSCH/PUSCH indicated by the PDCCH is to be transmitted. For example,the PDCCH may allocate PDSCH resources or PUSCH resources to one of aplurality of CCs by the CIF. That is, when a PDCCH of a DL CC allocatesPDSCH or PUSCH resources to one of aggregated DL/UL CCs, a CIF is set inthe PDCCH. In this case, the DCI formats of LTE Release-8 may beextended according to the CIF. The CIF may be fixed to three bits andthe position of the CIF may be fixed irrespective of a DCI format size.In addition, the LTE Release-8 PDCCH structure (the same coding andresource mapping based on the same CCEs) may be reused.

On the other hand, if a PDCCH transmitted in a DL CC allocates PDSCHresources of the same DL CC or allocates PUSCH resources in a single ULCC linked to the DL CC, a CIF is not set in the PDCCH. In this case, theLTE Release-8 PDCCH structure (the same coding and resource mappingbased on the same CCEs) may be used.

If cross-carrier scheduling is available, a UE needs to monitor aplurality of PDCCHs for DCI in the control region of a monitoring CCaccording to the transmission mode and/or bandwidth of each CC.Accordingly, an appropriate SS configuration and PDCCH monitoring areneeded for the purpose.

In the CA system, a UE DL CC set is a set of DL CCs scheduled for a UEto receive a PDSCH, and a UE UL CC set is a set of UL CCs scheduled fora UE to transmit a PUSCH. A PDCCH monitoring set is a set of one or moreDL CCs in which a PDCCH is monitored. The PDCCH monitoring set may beidentical to the UE DL CC set or may be a subset of the UE DL CC set.The PDCCH monitoring set may include at least one of the DL CCs of theUE DL CC set. Or the PDCCH monitoring set may be defined irrespective ofthe UE DL CC set. DL CCs included in the PDCCH monitoring set may beconfigured to always enable self-scheduling for UL CCs linked to the DLCCs. The UE DL CC set, the UE UL CC set, and the PDCCH monitoring setmay be configured UE-specifically, UE group-specifically, orcell-specifically.

If cross-carrier scheduling is deactivated, this implies that the PDCCHmonitoring set is always identical to the UE DL CC set. In this case,there is no need for signaling the PDCCH monitoring set. However, ifcross-carrier scheduling is activated, the PDCCH monitoring set may bedefined within the UE DL CC set. That is, the eNB transmits a PDCCH onlyin the PDCCH monitoring set to schedule a PDSCH or PUSCH for the UE.

FIG. 7 illustrates a cross carrier-scheduled subframe structure in theLTE-A system, which is used in embodiments of the present disclosure.

Referring to FIG. 7, three DL CCs are aggregated for a DL subframe forLTE-A UEs. DL CC ‘A’ is configured as a PDCCH monitoring DL CC. If a CIFis not used, each DL CC may deliver a PDCCH that schedules a PDSCH inthe same DL CC without a CIF. On the other hand, if the CIF is used byhigher-layer signaling, only DL CC ‘A’ may carry a PDCCH that schedulesa PDSCH in the same DL CC ‘A’ or another CC. Herein, no PDCCH istransmitted in DL CC ‘B’ and DL CC ‘C’ that are not configured as PDCCHmonitoring DL CCs.

FIG. 8 is conceptual diagram illustrating a construction of servingcells according to cross-carrier scheduling.

Referring to FIG. 8, an eNB (or BS) and/or UEs for use in a radio accesssystem supporting carrier aggregation (CA) may include one or moreserving cells. In FIG. 8, the eNB can support a total of four servingcells (cells A, B, C and D). It is assumed that UE A may include Cells(A, B, C), UE B may include Cells (B, C, D), and UE C may include CellB. In this case, at least one of cells of each UE may be composed ofPCell. In this case, PCell is always activated, and SCell may beactivated or deactivated by the eNB and/or UE.

The cells shown in FIG. 8 may be configured per UE. The above-mentionedcells selected from among cells of the eNB, cell addition may be appliedto carrier aggregation (CA) on the basis of a measurement report messagereceived from the UE. The configured cell may reserve resources forACK/NACK message transmission in association with PDSCH signaltransmission. The activated cell is configured to actually transmit aPDSCH signal and/or a PUSCH signal from among the configured cells, andis configured to transmit CSI reporting and Sounding Reference Signal(SRS) transmission. The deactivated cell is configured not totransmit/receive PDSCH/PUSCH signals by an eNB command or a timeroperation, and Cell-specific Reference Signal (CRS) reporting and SRStransmission are interrupted.

2.3 CA Environment-Based CoMP Operation

Hereinafter, a cooperation multi-point (CoMP) transmission operationapplicable to the embodiments of the present disclosure will bedescribed.

In the LTE-A system, CoMP transmission may be implemented using a CAfunction in the LTE. FIG. 9 is a conceptual view illustrating a CoMPsystem operating based on a CA environment.

In FIG. 9, it is assumed that a carrier operated as a PCell and acarrier operated as an SCell may use the same frequency band on afrequency axis and are allocated to two eNBs geographically spaced apartfrom each other. At this time, a serving eNB of UE1 may be allocated tothe PCell, and a neighboring cell causing much interference may beallocated to the SCell. That is, the eNB of the PCell and the eNB of theSCell may perform various DL/UL CoMP operations such as JointTransmission (JT), CS/CB and dynamic cell selection for one UE.

FIG. 9 illustrates an example that cells managed by two eNBs areaggregated as PCell and SCell with respect to one UE (e.g., UE1).However, as another example, three or more cells may be aggregated. Forexample, some cells of three or more cells may be configured to performCoMP operation for one UE in the same frequency band, and the othercells may be configured to perform simple CA operation in differentfrequency bands. At this time, the PCell does not always need toparticipate in CoMP operation.

2.4 Reference Signal (RS)

Hereinafter, reference signals are explained, which are used for theembodiments of the present invention.

FIG. 10 illustrates a subframe to which CRSs are allocated, which may beused in embodiments of the present disclosure.

FIG. 10 represents an allocation structure of the CRS in case of thesystem supporting 4 antennas. Since CRSs are used for both demodulationand measurement, the CRSs are transmitted in all DL subframes in a cellsupporting PDSCH transmission and are transmitted through all antennaports configured at an eNB.

More specifically, CRS sequence is mapped to complex-modulation symbolsused as reference symbols for antenna port p in slot ns.

A UE may measure CSI using the CRSs and demodulate a signal received ona PDSCH in a subframe including the CRSs. That is, the eNB transmits theCRSs at predetermined locations in each RB of all RBs and the UEperforms channel estimation based on the CRSs and detects the PDSCH. Forexample, the UE may measure a signal received on a CRS RE and detect aPDSCH signal from an RE to which the PDSCH is mapped using the measuredsignal and using the ratio of reception energy per CRS RE to receptionenergy per PDSCH mapped RE.

When the PDSCH is transmitted based on the CRSs, since the eNB shouldtransmit the CRSs in all RBs, unnecessary RS overhead occurs. To solvesuch a problem, in a 3GPP LTE-A system, a UE-specific RS (hereinafter,UE-RS) and a Channel State Information Reference Signal (CSI-RS) arefurther defined in addition to a CRS. The UE-RS is used for demodulationand the CSI-RS is used to derive CSI. The UE-RS is one type of a DRS.

Since the UE-RS and the CRS may be used for demodulation, the UE-RS andthe CRS can be regarded as demodulation RSs in terms of usage. Since theCSI-RS and the CRS are used for channel measurement or channelestimation, the CSI-RS and the CRS can be regarded as measurement RSs.

FIG. 11 illustrates channel state information reference signal (CSI-RS)configurations allocated according to the number of antenna ports, whichmay be used in embodiments of the present disclosure.

A CSI-RS is a DL RS that is introduced in a 3GPP LTE-A system forchannel measurement rather than for demodulation. In the 3GPP LTE-Asystem, a plurality of CSI-RS configurations is defined for CSI-RStransmission. In subframes in which CSI-RS transmission is configured,CSI-RS sequence is mapped to complex modulation symbols used as RSs onantenna port p.

FIG. 11 (a) illustrates 20 CSI-RS configurations 0 to 19 available forCSI-RS transmission through two CSI-RS ports among the CSI-RSconfigurations, FIG. 11 (b) illustrates 10 available CSI-RSconfigurations 0 to 9 through four CSI-RS ports among the CSI-RSconfigurations, and FIG. 11 (c) illustrates 5 available CSI-RSconfigurations 0 to 4 through 8 CSI-RS ports among the CSI-RSconfigurations.

The CSI-RS ports refer to antenna ports configured for CSI-RStransmission. Since CSI-RS configuration differs according to the numberof CSI-RS ports, if the numbers of antenna ports configured for CSI-RStransmission differ, the same CSI-RS configuration number may correspondto different CSI-RS configurations.

Unlike a CRS configured to be transmitted in every subframe, a CSI-RS isconfigured to be transmitted at a prescribed period corresponding to aplurality of subframes. Accordingly, CSI-RS configurations vary not onlywith the locations of REs occupied by CSI-RSs in an RB pair according toTable 6 or Table 7 but also with subframes in which CSI-RSs areconfigured.

Meanwhile, if subframes for CSI-RS transmission differ even when CSI-RSconfiguration numbers are the same, CSI-RS configurations also differ.For example, if CSI-RS transmission periods (T_(CSI-RS)) differ or ifstart subframes (Δ_(CSI-RS)) in which CSI-RS transmission is configuredin one radio frame differ, this may be considered as different CSI-RSconfigurations.

Hereinafter, in order to distinguish between a CSI-RS configuration towhich (1) a CSI-RS configuration is assigned and (2) a CSI-RSconfiguration varying according to a CSI-RS configuration number, thenumber of CSI-RS ports, and/or a CSI-RS configured subframe, the CSI-RSconfiguration of the latter will be referred to as a CSI-RS resourceconfiguration. The CSI-RS configuration of the former will be referredto as a CSI-RS configuration or CSI-RS pattern.

Upon informing a UE of the CSI-RS resource configuration, an eNB mayinform the UE of information about the number of antenna ports used fortransmission of CSI-RSs, a CSI-RS pattern, CSI-RS subframe configurationICSI-RS, UE assumption on reference PDSCH transmitted power for CSIfeedback Pc, a zero-power CSI-RS configuration list, a zero-power CSI-RSsubframe configuration, etc.

CSI-RS subframe configuration I_(CSI-RS) is information for specifyingsubframe configuration periodicity T_(CSI-RS) and subframe offsetΔ_(CSI-RS) regarding occurrence of the CSI-RSs. The following table 6shows CSI-RS subframe configuration I_(CSI-RS) according to T_(CSI-RS)and Δ_(CSI-RS).

TABLE 6 CSI-RS- CSI-RS CSI-RS subframe SubframeConfig periodicityT_(CSI-RS) offset Δ_(CSI-RS) I_(CSI-RS) (subframes) (subframes) 0-4 5I_(CSI-RS)  5-14 10 I_(CSI-RS) − 5  15-34 20 I_(CSI-RS) − 15 35-74 40I_(CSI-RS) − 35  75-154 80 I_(CSI-RS) − 75

Subframes satisfying the following Equation 3 are subframes includingCSI-RSs.(10n _(f) └n _(s)/2┘−Δ_(CSI-RS))mod T _(CSI-RS)=0  [Equation 3]

A UE configured as transmission modes defined after introduction of the3GPP LTE-A system (e.g. transmission mode 9 or other newly definedtransmission modes) may perform channel measurement using a CSI-RS anddecode a PDSCH using a UE-RS.

A UE configured as transmission modes defined after introduction of the3GPP LTE-A system (e.g. transmission mode 9 or other newly definedtransmission modes) may perform channel measurement using a CSI-RS anddecode a PDSCH using a UE-RS.

2.5 Enhanced PDCCH (EPDCCH)

In the 3GPP LTE/LTE-A system, Cross-Carrier Scheduling (CCS) in anaggregation status for a plurality of component carriers (CC: componentcarrier=(serving) cell) will be defined. One scheduled CC may previouslybe configured to be DL/UL scheduled from another one scheduling CC (thatis, to receive DL/UL grant PDCCH for a corresponding scheduled CC). Atthis time, the scheduling CC may basically perform DL/UL scheduling foritself. In other words, a Search Space (SS) for a PDCCH for schedulingscheduling/scheduled CCs which are in the CCS relation may exist in acontrol channel region of all the scheduling CCs.

Meanwhile, in the LTE system, FDD DL carrier or TDD DL subframes areconfigured to use first n (n<=4) OFDM symbols of each subframe fortransmission of physical channels for transmission of various kinds ofcontrol information, wherein examples of the physical channels include aPDCCH, a PHICH, and a PCFICH. At this time, the number of OFDM symbolsused for control channel transmission at each subframe may be deliveredto the UE dynamically through a physical channel such as PCFICH orsemi-statically through RRC signaling.

Meanwhile, in the LTE/LTE-A system, since a PDCCH which is a physicalchannel for DL/UL scheduling and transmitting various kinds of controlinformation has a limitation that it is transmitted through limited OFDMsymbols, Enhanced PDCCH (i.e., EPDCCH) multiplexed with a PDSCH morefreely in a way of FDM/TDM may be introduced instead of a controlchannel such as PDCCH, which is transmitted through OFDM symbol andseparated from PDSCH. FIG. 12 illustrates an example that legacy PDCCH,PDSCH and EPDCCH, which are used in an LTE/LTE-A system, aremultiplexed.

2.6 Restricted CSI Measurement

To mitigate the effect of interference between cells in a wirelessnetwork, network entities may cooperate with each other. For example,other cells except a cell A transmit only common control informationwithout transmitting data during the duration of a specific subframe forwhich the cell A transmits data, whereby interference with a userreceiving data in the cell A may be minimized.

In this way, interference between cells may be mitigated by transmittingonly minimal common control information from other cells except a celltransmitting data at a specific time through cooperation between cellsin a network.

For this purpose, if a higher layer configures two CSI measurementsubframe sets CCSI,0 and CCSI,1, a UE may perform Resource-RestrictedMeasurement (RRM). At this time, it is assumed that CSI referenceresources corresponding to the two measurement subframe sets belong toonly one of the two subframe sets.

The following Table 7 illustrates an example of a higher-layer signalthat configures CSI subframe sets.

TABLE 7  CQI-ReportConfig-r10 ::= SEQUENCE {   cqi-ReportAperiodic-r10CQI-ReportAperiodic-r10      OPTIONAL, -- Need ON  nomPDSCH-RS-EPRE-Offset INTEGER (−1..6),   cqi-ReportPeriodic-r10CQI-ReportPeriodic-r10      OPTIONAL, -- Need ON   pmi-RI-Report-r9ENUMERATED {setup}         OPTIONAL, -- Cond PMIRIPCell  csi-SubframePatternConfig-r10 CHOICE {      release NULL,      setupSEQUENCE {        csi-MeasSubframeSet1-r10 MeasSubframePattern-r10,       csi-MeasSubframeSet2-r10 MeasSubframePattern-r10      }   }OPTIONAL -- Need ON  }

[Table 7] illustrates an example of CQI report configuration (CQI-ReportConfig) message transmitted to configure CSI subframe sets. TheCQI-Report configuration message may include an aperiodic CQI reportcqi-ReportAperiodic-r10 Information Element (IE), anomPDSCH-RS-EPRE-Offset IE, a periodic CQI report cqi-ReportPeriodic-r10IE, a PMI-RI report pmi-RI-Report-r9 IE, and a CSI subframe patternconfiguration csi-subframePatternConfig 1E. At this time, the CSIsubframe pattern configuration IE includes CSI measurement subframe set1 information csi-MeasSubframeSet1 IE and a CSI measurement subframe set2 information csi-MeasSubframeSet2 IE, which indicate measurementsubframe patterns for the respective subframe sets.

In this case, each of the csi-MeasSubframeSet1-r10 IE and thecsi-MeasSubframeSet2-r10 IE is 40-bit bitmap information representinginformation on subframes belonging to each subframe set. Also, aperiodicCQI report CQI-ReportAperiodic-r10 IE is used to configure an aperiodicCQI report for the UE, and the periodic CQI reportCQI-ReportPeriodic-r10 is used to configure a periodic CQI report forthe UE.

The nomPDSCH-RS-EPRE-Offset IE indicates a value of Δ_(offset). At thistime, an actual value is set to Δ_(offset) value*2 [dB]. Also, thePMI-RI report TB indicates configuration or non-configuration of aPMI/RI report. Only when a transmission mode is set to TM8, TM9, orTM10, the E-UTRAN configures the PMI-RI Report IE.

3. LTE Unlicensed (LTE-U) System

3.1 LTE-U System Configuration

Hereinafter, methods for transmitting and receiving data in a CAenvironment of an LTE-A band corresponding to a licensed band and anunlicensed band will be described. In the embodiments of the presentdisclosure, an LTE-U system means an LTE system that supports such a CAstatus of a licensed band and an unlicensed band. A WiFi band orBluetooth (BT) band may be used as the unlicensed band.

FIG. 13 illustrates an example of a CA environment supported in an LTE-Usystem.

Hereinafter, for convenience of description, it is assumed that a UE isconfigured to perform wireless communication in each of a licensed bandand an unlicensed band by using two CCs. The methods which will bedescribed hereinafter may be applied to even a case where three or moreCCs are configured for a UE.

In the embodiments of the present disclosure, it is assumed that acarrier of the licensed band may be a primary CC (PCC or PCell), and acarrier of the unlicensed band may be a secondary CC (SCC or SCell).However, the embodiments of the present disclosure may be applied toeven a case where a plurality of licensed bands and a plurality ofunlicensed bands are used in a carrier aggregation method. Also, themethods suggested in the present disclosure may be applied to even a3GPP LTE system and another system.

In FIG. 13, one eNB supports both a licensed band and an unlicensedband. That is, the UE may transmit and receive control information anddata through the PCC which is a licensed band, and may also transmit andreceive control information and data through the SCC which is anunlicensed band. However, the status shown in FIG. 13 is only example,and the embodiments of the present disclosure may be applied to even aCA environment that one UE accesses a plurality of eNBs.

For example, the UE may configure a macro eNB (M-eNB) and a PCell, andmay configure a small eNB (S-eNB) and an SCell. At this time, the macroeNB and the small eNB may be connected with each other through abackhaul network.

In the embodiments of the present disclosure, the unlicensed band may beoperated in a contention-based random access method. At this time, theeNB that supports the unlicensed band may perform a Carrier Sensing (CS)procedure prior to data transmission and reception. The CS proceduredetermines whether a corresponding band is reserved by another entity.

For example, the eNB of the SCell checks whether a current channel isbusy or idle. If it is determined that the corresponding band is idlestate, the eNB may transmit a scheduling grant to the UE to allocate aresource through (E)PDCCH of the PCell in case of a cross-carrierscheduling mode and through PDCCH of the SCell in case of aself-scheduling mode, and may try data transmission and reception.

A CS procedure may be performed in the same manner as or a similarmanner to a Listen Before Talk (LBT) procedure. In the LBT procedure, aneNB of a PCell determines whether the current state of a UCell (a celloperating in an unlicensed band) is busy or idle. For example, in thecase where a Clear Channel Assessment (CCA) threshold is preset orconfigured by a higher-layer signal, if energy higher than the CCAthreshold is detected in the UCell, the UCell is determined to be busy,and otherwise, the UCell is determined to be idle. If the UCell isdetermined to be idle, the eNB of the PCell may schedule resources ofthe UCell and perform data transmission and reception in the UCell bytransmitting a scheduling grant (i.e., DCI or the like) on an (E)PDCCHof the PCell or a PDCCH of the UCell.

At this time, the eNB may configure a TxOP including N consecutivesubframes. In this case, a value of N and a use of the N subframes maypreviously be notified from the eNB to the UE through higher layersignaling through the PCell or through a physical control channel orphysical data channel. The TxOP duration comprised of M subframes may bereferred to as a reserved resource period (RRP).

3.2 TxOP Duration

An eNB may transmit and receive data to and from one UE during a TxOPduration, and may configure a TxOP duration comprised of N consecutivesubframes for each of a plurality of UEs and transmit and receive datain accordance with TDM or FDM. At this time, the eNB may transmit andreceive data through a PCell which is a licensed band and an SCell whichis an unlicensed band during the TxOP duration.

However, if the eNB transmits data in accordance with a subframeboundary of an LTE-A system corresponding to a licensed band, a timinggap may exist between an idle determination timing of the SCell which isan unlicensed band and an actual data transmission timing. Particularly,since the SCell should be used as an unlicensed band, which cannot beused exclusively by a corresponding eNB and a corresponding UE, throughCS based contention, another system may try information transmission forthe timing gap.

Therefore, the eNB may transmit a reservation signal from the SCell toprevent another system from trying information transmission for thetiming gap. In this case, the reservation signal means a kind of “dummyinformation” or “a copy of a part of PDSCH” transmitted to reserve acorresponding resource region of the SCell as a resource of the eNB. Thereservation signal may be transmitted for the timing gap (i.e., from theidle determination timing of the SCell to the actual transmissiontiming).

3.3 Method for Configuring TxOP Duration

FIG. 14 illustrates one of methods for configuring a TxOP duration.

An eNB may previously configure a TxOP duration semi-statically througha PCell. For example, the eNB may transmit a value of N corresponding tothe number of subframes constituting the TxOP duration and configurationinformation on a use of the corresponding TxOP duration to a UE througha higher layer signal (for example, RRC signal) (S1410).

However, the step S1410 may be performed dynamically in accordance withsystem configuration. In this case, the eNB may transmit configurationinformation on the TxOP duration to the UE through a PDCCH or EPDCCH.

The SCell may perform a Carrier Sensing (CS) procedure to check whethera current channel state is an idle state or a busy state (S1420).

The PCell and the SCell may be managed by their respective eNBsdifferent from each other or the same eNB. However, if the PCell and theSCell are managed by different base stations, information on a channelstate of the SCell may be delivered to the PCell through a backhaul(S1430).

Afterwards, at a subframe configured as the TxOP duration, the UE maytransmit and receive data through the PCell and the SCell. If the use ofthe corresponding TxOP is configured for downlink data transmission instep S1310, the UE may receive DL data through the SCell during the TxOPduration, and if the use of the corresponding TxOP is configured foruplink data transmission in step S1310, the UE may transmit UL datathrough the SCell (S1440).

In embodiments of the present disclosure, a TxOP duration may be used inthe same meaning as a DL Transmission (Tx) burst, a DL burst, or an RRP.However, the DL burst or the DL Tx burst may cover a time period duringwhich a reservation signal is transmitted for channel occupation.

4. Method for Configuring and Scheduling Partial Subframe (pSF)

Embodiments of the present disclosure relate to an LTE-A systemoperating in an unlicensed band. This system is referred to as a LicenseAssisted Access (LAA) system in the embodiments of the presentdisclosure. In other words, the LAA system provides methods fortransmitting and receiving data to and from an LTE UE in an unlicensedband, while still performing the basic LTE/LTE-A operations.

Considering a WiFi or inter-operate system co-existing with an LTE-Asystem in an unlicensed band by contention-based access, if Subframes(SFs) of an SCell are allowed to start in alignment with an SF boundaryof a PCell, the LTE-A system may excessively give up a channel toanother system. In this context, the LAA system may allow starting orending of a signal transmission at a time other than an SF boundary,unlike the legacy LTE-A system. Herein, a continuous signal transmissionperiod may be defined as a data burst. The data burst may beinterchangeably used with the afore-described TxOP, RRP, or the like inthe same sense.

Now, a description will be given of methods for configuring a pSF whichis a smaller unit than one SF (e.g., 1 ms), when a signal transmissionstarts at a time other than an SF boundary and ends at a time before anSF boundary.

4.1 Cross-Carrier Scheduling

On the whole, there are two methods for scheduling a secondary cellunder a CA situation in the LTE-A system. One of the methods iscross-carrier scheduling in which a specific cell schedules anothercell, and the other is self-scheduling in which a cell schedules itself.Hereinbelow, methods for configuring a pSF based on cross-carrierscheduling and related methods for transmitting and operating a PDCCHwill be described.

FIG. 15 is a view illustrating an exemplary pSF.

In FIG. 15, in a UCell, a backoff operation for CS (a CCA or LBToperation) starts at a time corresponding to SF #N of a PCell,transmission of a reservation signal starts in the middle of SF #N+1,and transmission of a preamble and/or a PDSCH starts at a predeterminedtime.

In embodiments of the present disclosure, a pSF at a time of SF #N+1 ofthe UCell may be scheduled at a time of SF #N+2 of the PCell. Thiscross-carrier scheduling at a time later than the starting time of a pSFmay be referred to as post-scheduling. On the other hand, cross-carrierscheduling at a time of SF #N+1 earlier than the starting time of a pSFmay be referred to as pre-scheduling.

In embodiments of the present disclosure, an SF of a UCell correspondingto SF #N of a PCell is also called SF #N, for the convenience ofdescription. FIG. 15 and other drawings will be described on theassumption that a TxOP (an RRP or a DL burst) is 4 SFs (i.e., 4 ms)long. Obviously, the TxOP duration is variable according to a channelenvironment and/or a system requirement.

Pre-scheduling conditions will be described below.

4.1.1 Pre-Scheduling Conditions

(A-1a) The simplest pre-scheduling method is that if an eNB or a UE hastransmission data, pre-scheduling is always performed irrespective of aCCA result of the UCell shortly before the start of SF #N+1. However, ifa channel is busy and thus a signal cannot be transmitted in an SFcarrying a PDCCH, corresponding PDCCH resources may be wasted.Therefore, it is preferred that even though the eNB has transmissiondata, only when the probability of transmitting the data in thecorresponding SF is high, the eNB transmits the data in the SF. Thiscondition will be described below.

(A-1b) Only if the CCA result shortly before the start of SF #N+1 is anidle state, pre-scheduling may be allowed.

In view of the nature of systems co-existing in an unlicensed band, oncea specific transmitter occupies a channel, it may continuously occupythe channel for a very long time. Therefore, if the CCA result shortlybefore the start of SF #N+1 is a busy state, the eNB may not transmit asignal continuously in a corresponding SF. If the channel is busy allthe time in SF #N+1 and thus a signal cannot be transmitted in theUCell, PDCCH resources may be wasted due to pre-scheduling in SF #N+1.To avoid the problem, only if the CCA result shortly before the start ofSF #N+1 is the idle state, the eNB may be allowed to performpre-scheduling.

If the CCA result shortly before the start of SF #N+1 is the busy state,the eNB may not perform CS in the corresponding SF. Or if the CCA resultshortly before the start of SF #N+1 is the busy state but a backoffoperation ends due to an idle period in the middle of SF #N+1, the eNBmay not start an SF and thus should transmit a reservation signal.

(A-1c) Only if the CCA result shortly before the start of SF #N+1 is theidle state and the backoff operation ends during SF #N+1, pre-schedulingmay be allowed.

For example, it is assumed that when the eNB performs the backoffoperation, a backoff count is ‘N’ and T3 ms is required until thebackoff count becomes ‘0’. If T3 ms is longer than 1 ms, the eNB may notstart an SF transmission in spite of a continuous channel idle state inSF #N+1.

Accordingly, when the condition that the CCA result shortly before thestart of SF #N+1 is the idle state and T3<=X is satisfied, the eNB maybe configured to perform pre-scheduling. If X=1 ms, pre-scheduling isperformed on the assumption that the channel is always idle in SF #N+1.

On the other hand, if the CCA result shortly before the start of SF #N+1is busy or T3>X, the eNB does not perform pre-scheduling in thecorresponding SF. As described in relation to condition (A-1b), if theCCA result shortly before the start of SF #N+1 is the busy state, theeNB may not perform the CS and backoff operation in the correspondingSF.

Or if the UCell is busy shortly before SF #N+1 but the eNB ends thebackoff operation due to an idle period in the idle of SF #N+1 duringCS, the eNB may not start an SF. Thus, the eNB preferably transmits areservation signal.

(A-1d) Only if the backoff operation may end in SF #N+1, the eNB may beallowed to perform pre-scheduling irrespective of the CCA result shortlybefore the start of SF #N+1. Similarly to condition (A-1c), for example,if the condition that T3<=X is satisfied, the eNB may performpre-scheduling. On the contrary, if T3>X, the eNB does not performpre-scheduling in a corresponding SF.

(A-1e) Even though the CCA result shortly before the start of SF #N+1 isthe busy state, if the eNB is able to determine when on-goingtransmission of a current transmission node (e.g., a currenttransmitter) will end, the eNB may perform pre-scheduling inconsideration of the determination.

For example, it is assumed that the current transmitter is a WiFi AP anda WiFi signal can be received in the PCell, as illustrated in FIG. 16.FIG. 16 illustrates one of conditions that allow the eNB to performpre-scheduling, when the WiFi AP occupies a radio channel in anunlicensed band.

It may be noted from FIG. 16 that if the eNB is able to decode the WiFisignal, the eNB of the PCell may be aware that on-going transmission ofWiFi data ends Yms (0<Y<1 ms) after the start of SF #N+1. On theassumption that T3 ms is required until a backoff count becomes 0, theeNB may perform pre-scheduling only when the condition that Y+T3<X issatisfied.

The above-described conditions (A-1a) and (A-1d) are also applicable toan SF in which another system or another transmitter is transmittingdata in the UCell. For example, this is because two pSFs may exist inone SF like SF #N+1 in FIG. 17. FIG. 17 is a view illustrating pSFs.

In the case of condition (A1-d), in the case where a transmission endsin a pSF of SF #N+4 during the previous TxOP, only when the eNB is ableto end the backoff operation in SF #N+4, the eNB may be allowed toperform pre-scheduling.

4.1.2 A/N Transmission Method

Now, a method for transmitting a reception confirm signal (e.g., an ACKor NACK signal) in the case of pre-scheduling will be described. Forexample, it is assumed that the eNB transmits a reservation signal(and/or a preamble) and a PDSCH in SF #N+1 of the UCell, as illustratedin FIG. 15.

If a UE has successfully received a PDCCH in the PCell but has failed todetect the preamble and/or an RS on the PDSCH in the UCell, the UE maydetermine that a channel in the UCell is busy and thus no signal istransmitted on the channel in the corresponding SF. Consequently, the UEmay nether attempt PDSCH decoding nor buffer the corresponding SF.

In regard to a CA situation in the LTE-A system, only two operations areavailable: one of the operations is that the UE fails in PDCCH decoding,and the other is that although the UE succeeds in PDCCH decoding butfails in PDSCH decoding and thus stores a corresponding PDSCH in abuffer. The UE may transmit a Discontinuous Transmission (DTX) signal inACK/NACK resources in the former case and a NACK signal in the ACK/NACKresources in the latter case. DTX means non-transmission of an ACK/NACKor a specific state of ACK/NACK transmission.

In other words, non-transmission of an ACK/NACK from the UE isequivalent to an ACK/NACK operation of the UE in the absence of data tobe transmitted in the UCell from the eNB. However, a new stateindicating that the UE has succeeded in receiving a PDCCH but has notstored a failed PDSCH in a buffer needs to be additionally considered inan LAA environment. Hereinbelow, a method for defining such a new statewill be described.

(A-2a) If the UE successfully receives a PDCCH but fails to detect apreamble (and/or an RS on a PDSCH) or the UE succeeds in detecting apreamble (and/or an RS on a PDSCH) but fails in PDSCH decoding, the UEmay regard this case as a NACK state or a DTX state, which will bedescribed in greater detail in relation to later-described (A-2b) to(A-2e).

(A-2b) If the UE succeeds in receiving a PDCCH but fails in detecting apreamble (and/or an RS on a PDSCH), the UE may be configured to transmita NACK signal. In this case, although the eNB is aware that the UE hassuccessfully received at least the PDCCH, the eNB may not determineclearly whether the UE has stored the related PDSCH in the buffer.

(A-2c) If the UE succeeds in receiving a PDCCH but fails in detecting apreamble (and/or an RS on a PDSCH), the UE may be configured to transmita DTX signal. In this case, the eNB may clearly determine that the UEhas not stored the related PDSCH in the buffer.

Further, when the eNB has performed pre-scheduling but has nottransmitted data in a corresponding SF due to a busy channel, the UE mayalso be configured not to perform ACK/NACK transmission.

In this case, in fact, an ACK/NACK overhead caused by pre-schedulingthat does not configure an SF in the UCell may be reduced. However, ifthe eNB does not receive an A/N signal from the UE, the eNB may wronglydetermine PDCCH detection failure and thus unnecessarily increase PDCCHtransmission power or a PDCCH aggregation level.

(A-2d) When the eNB performs cross-carrier scheduling in the PCell, itis assumed that the aggregation levels of a PCell-PDCCH and aUCell-PDCCH are equal. If the UE has succeeded in receiving theUCell-PDCCH, the UE attempts ACK/NACK transmission using an A/N ResourceIndicator (ARI) on the UCell-PDCCH in the legacy LTE-A CA situation.

Even though the UE has succeeded in receiving the UCell-PDCCH, if the UEfails in detecting a preamble (and/or an RS on a PDSCH), the UE may beconfigured to fall back to PUCCH format 1a/1b without using the ARI.Upon receipt of an ACK/NACK in PUCCH format 1a/1b from the UE, the eNBmay implicitly interpret that the UE has succeeded in receiving theUCell-PDCCH but has failed in detecting the preamble (and/or an RS onthe PDSCH) on the assumption that the success probabilities of thePCell-PDCCH and the UCell-PDCCH are close due to their equal aggregationlevels.

(A-2e) If the UE has succeeded in receiving a PDCCH but has failed indetecting a preamble (and/or an RS on a PDSCH), the UE may set a newstate other than NACK/DTX, for A/N signal transmission, therebyovercoming ambiguity mentioned in (A-2b) and (A-2c).

For example, a state indicating the case in which the UE has succeededin receiving a PDCCH but has failed in detecting a preamble (and/or anRS on a PDSCH) may be defined as DTX2. The DTX2 state may be defineddistinguishably from ACK/NACK/DTX states of the LTE-A system, and the UEmay feed back the DTX2 state to the eNB.

In an aspect of the embodiment, a new channel selection transmissiontable including DTX2 may be configured in the system.

In another aspect of the embodiment, 2-bit ACK/NACK information perTransport Block (TB) may be configured, inclusive of ACK=11, NACK=10,DTX=00, and DTX2-01 in the system.

Only if the eNB is able to recognize from the new DTX2 state defined inthe above methods that the UE has failed in detecting a preamble (and/oran RS on a PDSCH), the eNB receiving the feedback of DTX2 may increasetransmission power in order to increase the detection probability of thenext preamble (and/or an RS on the next PDSCH).

4.1.3 Pre-Scheduling Method

In pre-scheduling, it may occur that although the eNB has transmitted aPDCCH at a time of SF #N+1 of the PCell, the backoff operation is notcompleted in SF #N+1 and thus the eNB is not able to transmit a PDSCH inthe UCell, as illustrated in FIG. 18. FIG. 18 is a view illustrating oneof pre-scheduling methods.

In this case, when the UE attempts to detect a preamble (and/or an RS ona PDSCH) in SF #N+1, a false alarm may be generated, in which the UEtakes the absence of a preamble (and/or an RS on a PDSCH) for thepresence of a preamble (and/or an RS on a PDSCH). To prevent theproblem, upon receipt of the PDCCH, the UE may buffer a PDSCH of acorresponding SF irrespective of the presence or absence of a preamble(and/or an RS on a PDSCH).

The eNB may transmit a PDCCH a plurality of times to the same UE until abackoff operation ends. If the eNB indicates transmission of a new PDSCH(i.e., a new packet) at each PDCCH transmission, the UE may buffer aPDSCH each time it receives a PDCCH, and if the UE recognizes a newpacket, it may flush already-buffered data.

For example, referring to FIG. 18, even though the UE has buffered aPDSCH in SF #N+1, the UE will receive a PDCCH indicating a new packetand thus a new PDSCH (i.e., a new packet) in SF #N+2. Therefore, the UEmay flush the data buffered in SF #N+1.

In an exemplary method for transmitting a new packet in SF #N+2 by theeNB, the eNB may configure the same HARQ process number as that of aPDCCH transmitted in SF #N+1 and toggle a New Data Indicator (NDI), fora PDCCH transmitted in SF #N+2.

Further, in the case where the eNB has transmitted in a PDCCH at a timeof SF #N+1 but is not able to transmit a PDSCH in the UCell due to anongoing backoff operation as illustrated in FIG. 18, the eNB may beconfigured to transmit the same PDCCH a plurality of times to the sameUE.

Hereinbelow, a description will be given of methods for overcomingresource waste of a PDCCH in this case.

Once the eNB transmits a PDCCH to a specific UE, the eNB may nottransmit the PDCCH repeatedly even though the eNB cannot transmit aPDSCH in a corresponding SF and transmits the PDSCH in the next SF. Forexample, referring to FIG. 18, the eNB may not transmit a PDCCH whichhas been transmitted in SF #N+1, in SF #N+2. If the UE receiving thePDCCH in SF #N+1 does not receive a PDSCH in SF #N+1, the UE may use thesame PDCCH information received in SF #N+1 in SF #N+2. The PDCCHinformation received in SF #N+1 may be regarded as valid until the UEreceives data on a PDSCH.

Or the eNB may transmit new PDCCH information as a replacement of thePDCCH information in SF #N+1 to the UE at a time of SF #N+k. It may beindicated that the PDCCH information is new by DCI (e.g., a scramblingsequence, a CRC mask, a search space, and/or a new indicator).

Or if the PDCCH received in SF #N+1 satisfies a predetermined condition,the UE may consider that the PDCCH is not valid. For example, a specifictimer value, T1 may be configured by higher-layer signaling, and thePDCCH received in SF #N+1 may be considered to be invalid from a time ofSF #N+1+T1.

A method for configuring an ACK/NACK timing and resources for a PDSCHwill be proposed. It is assumed that even though the UE receives a PDCCHin SF #N+1, a time at which scheduling information received on the PDCCHis used (i.e., an actual PDSCH transmission time) is SF #N+m, not SF#N+1. It may be regulated that an ACK/NACK transmission timing is setbased on SF #N+1. For example, the UE may transmit an ACK/NACK signal inSF #N+m+4 to the eNB in an FDD system. ACK/NACK resources for theACK/NACK signal may be configured by a CCE index of the PDCCH receivedin SF #N+1. Or the UE may transmit the ACK/NACK signal at a time of SF#N+m+4 using resources preset by higher-layer signaling.

4.1.4 Method for Configuring Starting Time of PDSCH

In the case of cross-carrier scheduling, configuration of the startingtime of a PDSCH in a scheduled cell, UCell will be described below.

In the case of (E)PDCCH-based cross-carrier scheduling in the LTE-Asystem, it may be regulated that the starting time of a scheduled UCellis determined based on the starting symbol of a PDSCH configured in thescheduled cell. The starting symbol of the PDSCH may be configured byRRC signaling. Particularly in the case of cross-carrier scheduling fora pSF, the starting PDSCH symbol configured by RRC signaling may not beregarded as valid.

The starting time of the PDSCH may be determined according to thestarting position of the pSF. For example, if a PDCCH region is presetto include two symbols by higher-layer signaling, the UE may determinethat the PDSCH starts two symbols after the starting position of thepSF.

If cross-carrier scheduling is performed by an EPDCCH, the startingsymbol of the EPDCCH may be determined according to the length of thepSF. For example, even though the starting symbol of the EPDCCH isconfigured to be a 4^(th) OFDM symbol by higher-layer signaling, if thestarting position of the pSF in the scheduled cell, UCell is a 7^(th)OFDM symbol, the starting symbol of the EPDCCH in a scheduling cell maybe determined to be the 7^(th) OFDM symbol. Therefore, when performingbuffering in the scheduling cell, the UE advantageously starts thebuffering at the starting time of the pSF in the UCell.

4.1.5 Method for Restricting Scheduling Scheme

In the methods described in Section 4.1 (i.e., in the case ofcross-carrier scheduling for a pSF), pre-scheduling may cause PDCCHwaste because an actual time of completing a CCA operation (CS or LBToperation) in a UCell cannot be predicted, and post-scheduling may havea problem in terms of UE buffering. Therefore, the LAA system may beconfigured so as to allow only self-scheduling, not cross-carrierscheduling, for a pSF.

If the eNB should perform cross-carrier scheduling at a transmissiontime of a pSF, the pSF may not include a PDSCH. For example, the pSF maysimply include dummy signals, for channel occupation.

Or the pSF may be configured only for the usage of synchronization,Automatic Gain Control (AGC) setting and/or cell identification.

Or if cross-carrier scheduling is configured for a UE, the UE may notexpect a pSF. This means that the UE decodes corresponding SFs, assumingthat SFs of the UCell scheduled by the PCell are normal SFs, not pSFs.

In this case, a pSF may be confined to later-described PStart. Forexample, cross-carrier scheduling may be applied to PEnd.

4.2 Self-Scheduling

Self-scheduling methods will be described below. A pSF configured in theUCell may be self-scheduled through a PDCCH and/or an EPDCCH.Self-scheduling methods as described below can be applicable to a PStartwhich is a pSF starting before an SF boundary, a full SF being a normalSF, and/or a PEnd which is a pSF ending before a normal SF.

4.2.1 Self-Scheduling Using PDCCH

The starting time of a PDCCH in the UCell may be set to the ending timeof a preamble transmission after completion of a CCA operation (CS orLBT operation). Or the starting time of the PDCCH may be set to one ofsymbols for CRS port 0. FIG. 19 is a view illustrating one of CRSpatterns. Referring to FIG. 19, CRS port 0 is allocated to 1^(st),5^(th), 8^(th), and 12^(th) symbols. Therefore, the transmission time ofthe PDCCH may be set to one of the symbols to which CRS port 0 isallocated.

The time-axis length of the PDCCH may be a value preset by higher-layersignaling.

Or the time-axis length of the PDCCH may be predetermined according tothe length of a pSF. For example if the pSF is longer than the length ofone slot, the PDCCH may be transmitted in 2 OFDM symbols, whereas if thepSF is shorter than the length of one slot, the PDCCH may be transmittedin one OFDM symbol.

In the legacy LTE-A system, the starting time of a PDCCH is determinedby the value of a PCFICH. In the absence of a PCFICH in the UCell, thestarting time of the PDCCH may be determined according to a value presetby higher-layer signaling. For example, if the starting time of thePDCCH is preset to a 5^(th) symbol (1^(st) slot, 1=4) and the length ofthe PDCCH is preset to one symbol, the starting time of a PDSCH may bedetermined to be a 6^(th) symbol (1^(st) slot, 1=5).

Or in the presence of a PCFICH in the UCell, a PCFICH value for a pSFmay be interpreted differently from a PCFICH for a legacy SF. Forexample, if the pSF starts in a 5^(th) symbol (1^(st) slot, 1=4) and thePCFICH value is 2, a UE may determine that the PDSCH starts in a 7^(th)(5+2^(th)) symbol.

Or in the absence of a PCFICH, the time-axis length of the PDCCH may bepreset. Further, only when the first SF of a TX burst is a pSF, a PCFICH(and a PHICH) does not exist and the time-axis length of the PDCCH maybe preset or set by higher-layer signaling (e.g., RRC signaling).

In embodiments of the present disclosure, the UE may perform BD on aPDCCH, considering that there are two control regions in the UCell. Forexample, in regard to a normal SF, the UE may determine the first tothird symbols of the SF to be a control region. On the other hand, inregard to a pSF, the UE may perform BD, determining that the first andsecond symbols of the second slot to be a control region.

The methods described in Section 4.2.1 are applied to a PStart pSF.

4.2.2 Downlink Physical Channel in Floating SF Structure

FIG. 20 is a view illustrating a method for transmitting a DL physicalchannel in a floating SF.

The floating SF illustrated in FIG. 20 refers to an SF configured insuch a manner that the size of a UCell SF is equal to the size of aPCell SF, and the starting and ending points of the UCell SF may notmatch SF boundaries of a PCell.

Referring to FIG. 20, in spite of completion of an LBT operation at atime other than an SF boundary, the eNB may transmit an SF, while alwaysmaintaining a TTI of about 1 ms. Even though the starting and endingpoints of the TTI are not aligned with SF boundaries of the PCell, SFboundaries aligned between the UCell and the PCell are still valid, andan RS and a PDCCH of the UCell may be configured based on a PCelltiming.

If the starting position of a TTI does not match an SF boundary,information about scheduling of the TTI may be received on a PDCCH in SF#(n+1). The length of the PDCCH may be determined by a PCFICH in theUCell or preset by higher-layer signaling.

Only when the length of the PDCCH is set to 2 or more OFDM symbols, thestarting position of the TTI may be restricted. For example, if thePDCCH length is 2 OFDM symbols, it may be regulated that the TTI shouldnot start in the second OFDM symbol of SF #n. This is because if the TTIstarts in the second OFDM symbol, the PDCCH may be transmittedseparately in the second OFDM symbol of SF #n and the first OFDM symbolof SF #(n+1) and as a result, successful decoding of the PDCCH may notbe ensured.

Similarly, if the PDCCH length is 3 OFDM symbols, it may be regulatedthat the TTI should not start in the second and third OFDM symbols of SF#n.

In the floating SF structure illustrated in FIG. 20, the first threeOFDM symbols of SF #n may be punctured, REs of a PDSCH may be mapped tothe remaining OFDM symbols of SF #n, and the three punctured OFDMsymbols may be mapped to SF #n+1, for transmission. Or RE mapping maynewly start based on the starting position of the TTI.

4.2.3 Self-Scheduling Using EPDCCH

In the LTE-A system, the starting symbol of an EPDCCH is configured byRRC signaling, and ranges from 1 to 4.

However, in the case of a pSF of the LAA system in which an SF has avariable length according to the idle/busy state of a channel, thestarting position of the EPDCCH may be set to the ending time oftransmission of a preamble or the starting time of an RS (e.g., one ofsymbols to which RSs for CRS port 0 are allocated) on a PDSCH. In otherwords, the UE may consider that information about the starting symbol ofthe EPDCCH in the UCell, configured by RRC signaling is not valid forthe pSF.

Nonetheless, a value set by RRC signaling may be still used as thenumber of PRBs in the EPDCCH.

Or the number of PRBs in the EPDCCH may be preset according to thelength of the pSF, aside from legacy RRC signaling. For example, if thenumber of OFDM symbols in the pSF is less than 7, the number of PRBs inthe EPDCCH may be set to 8, and if the number of OFDM symbols in the pSFis equal to or greater than 7, the number of PRBs in the EPDCCH may beset to 4.

As the starting symbol of the staring an SF of a DL burst (TxOP, RRP, orthe like) is variable, the ending symbol of the ending SF of the DLburst may also be set to be variable in order to efficiently use radioresources. If the length of the EPDCCH is also variable according to theposition of the ending symbol, the implementation complexity of the UEself-scheduled by the EPDCH may be increased.

To solve the problem, the ending symbol of every EPDCCH may be set to bea specific OFDM symbol that does not match an SF boundary. For example,if the minimum length of the ending SF of the DL burst is set to 11 OFDMsymbols, the ending symbol of the EPDCCH may always be set to be the11^(th) OFDM symbol. The ending symbol of the EPDCCH may be preset orconfigured by higher-layer signaling.

The UE may not be aware whether a specific SF is the starting or endingSF of a DL burst. That is, the UE may attempt to receive an EPDCCH onthe assumption of the starting SF and the ending SF at the same time,for every SF. Herein, the UE may assume the following EPDCCHconfiguration methods.

(1) First EPDCCH configuration method: both the starting and endingsymbols of the EPDCCH are determined as defined by the legacy LTE-Asystem.

Conventionally, the starting symbol of the EPDCCH is preset orconfigured by RRC signaling, and has symbol index 1 to symbol index 4.That is, the starting symbol of the EPDCCH may be one of OFDM symbol 1to OFDM symbol 4, and the ending symbol of the EPDCCH may be set to thelast OFDM symbol. Additionally, an OFDM symbol with symbol index ‘0’ maybe available as the starting symbol of the EPDCCH.

(2) Second EPDCCH configuration method: the EPDCCH starts in a symbollater than a symbol determined in Method (1) (characteristically, afterthe starting symbol of a pSF, not defined by the LTE-A system) and endsin a symbol defined by the LTE-A system.

For example, if the starting OFDM symbol of the pSF is one of [0^(th)4^(th) and 7^(th)] symbols, it may be assumed that the EPDCCH starts inthe last 7^(th) symbol (or in the ending symbol of a PDCCH which startsin the 7^(th) OFDM symbol) and ends in the last OFDM symbol. Thestarting symbol of the EPDCCH may be pre-defined by the system orindicated to the UE by an RRC signal. Or when a set of OFDM symbolsavailable as the starting OFDM symbol of a pSF are signaled, an OFDMsymbol with a largest index in the OFDM symbol set (or the ending OFDMsymbol of a PDCCH starting in the OFDM symbol with the largest index)may be determined as the starting symbol of the EPDCCH.

(3) Third EPDCCH configuration method: the EPDCCH starts in a symboldefined by the legacy LTE-A system and ends in a symbol before a symboldetermined in Method (1) (i.e., a symbol before the last OFDM symbol).

Additionally, the symbol with symbol index ‘0’ may be available as thestarting symbol of the EPDCCH. The ending symbol of the EPDCCH may beset to a symbol corresponding to the minimum length of the ending SF ofthe DL burst, as described before. For example, if the pSF may end inthe [10^(th), 11^(th), 12^(th) or 14^(th)] OFDM symbol, the 10^(th) OFDMsymbol may be set as the ending symbol of the EPDCCH. The ending symbolof the EPDCCH may be preset or indicated to the UE by RRC signaling.

Or if a set of OFDM symbols available as the ending symbol of the pSFare signaled to the UE, the ending symbol of the EPDCCH may bedetermined to be an OFDM symbol with a smallest index in the OFDM symbolset. If a length (e.g., in OFDM symbols) allowed for the ending SF ofthe DL burst is equal to or less than a specific value (e.g., X OFDMsymbols), the ending symbol of the EPDCCH may not be set for the length.For example, if the DL burst ends in the [3^(rd), 6^(th), 9^(th),10^(th), 11^(th), 12^(th), 13^(th) or 14^(th)] OFDM symbol and X=5, theEPDCCH may be configured only with 3 OFDM symbols.

Further, among the remaining [6^(th), 9^(th), 10^(th), 11^(th), 12^(th),13^(th) or 14^(th)] OFDM symbols, the ending symbol of the EPDCCH may bedetermined an OFDM symbol with the smallest index, the 6^(th) OFDMsymbol.

If the set of OFDM symbols available as the ending symbol of the EPDCCHis different from the set of OFDM symbols available for the ending SF ofthe DL burst, an OFDM symbol of the last SF of the DL burst may bedifferent from the ending symbol of the EPDCCH. For example, if an OFDMsymbol of the last SF of the DL burst is one of the [7^(th), 9^(th),10^(th), 11^(th), 12^(th), 13^(th), and 14^(th)] OFDM symbols, and theending OFDM symbol of the EPDCCH is the [6^(th), 9^(th), 10^(th),11^(th), 12^(th), 12^(th), or 14^(th)] OFDM symbol, the ending symbol ofan EPDCCH in a pSF of the DL burst may be determined to be an OFDMsymbol with the smallest index in the set of OFDM symbols available asthe ending symbol of the EPDCCCH, the 6^(th) OFDM symbol.

(4) Fourth EPDCCH configuration method: either of the starting symboland ending symbol of the EPDCCH is not defined by the legacy LTE-Asystem.

Then, the starting symbol and ending symbol of the EPDCCH may bedetermined respectively according to the EPDCCH starting symboldetermination method described in (2) and the EPDCCH ending symboldetermination method described in Method (3).

If the UE attempts to receive an EPDCCH on the assumption of all of theabove-described four EPDCCH determination methods in order to decode anEPDCCH configurable in a DL burst (TxOP, RRP, or the like) including apSF, the complexity of the UE may be increased significantly.Accordingly, an EPDCCH may be configured by restrictively using only apart of the four EPDCCH configuration methods. Specific embodiments ofthe restrictive use of EPDCCH configuration methods will be describedbelow. The UE may attempt to detect every EPDCCH in one of the followingcombinations and determine an SF length based on the EPDCCH detection.

(A) If a pSF is allowed only as the first SF of a DL burst, an EPDCCHmay be configured in Method (1) or both Method (1) and Method (2).

(B) If a pSF is allowed only as the last SF of a DL burst, an EPDCCH maybe configured only in Method (3).

(C) If a pSF is allowed as both the first and last SFs of a DL burst, anEPDCCH may be configured in a combination of Method (1), Method (2), andMethod (3), a combination of Method (1) and Method (3), a combination ofMethod (1) and Method (4), a combination of Method (2) and Method (3), acombination of Method (2) and Method (4), a combination of Method (3)and Method (4), only in Method (3), or only in Method (4).

(D) among the combinations of methods for configuring an EPDCCH in apSF, the UE operates as follows in regard to a combination includingMethod (3) or Method (4) (i.e., the UE operates as follows to receive anEPDCCH and an ending pSF, which end in a symbol before the last OFDMsymbol).

Upon detection of an EPDCCH ending before the last OFDM symbol, the UEmay determine that a PDSCH in a corresponding SF ends before an SFboundary. If the EPDCCH ends in a symbol corresponding to a minimumlength of the ending SF of a DL burst, the UE may determine the accurateposition of the ending symbol of the DL burst, using informationindicated by DCI transmitted on the EPDCCH.

For example, if the DL burst may end in the [10^(th), 11^(th), 12^(th),or 14^(th)] OFDM symbol, the EPDCCH configured in the ending pSF of theDL burst may be configured to end in the 10^(th) OFDM symbol. If the UEreceiving the ending pSF is aware that the EPDCCH ends in the 10^(th)OFDM symbol by BD, the UE may determine that the PDSCH of thecorresponding SF ends before an SF boundary, but may not have accurateknowledge of the ending OFDM symbol of the PDSCH among the [10^(th),11^(th), 12^(th) and 14^(th)] OFDM symbols.

Therefore, the UE may determine the actual ending OFDM symbol of thePDSCH using information indicated by DCI transmitted on the EPDCCH. TheeNB may provide the OFDM symbol information indicated by the DCI on theEPDCCH to the UE through a scrambling sequence, a CRC mask, a searchspace and/or a new indicator.

For example, if a 2-bit new field is defined in a DCI format, the newfield may be configured to indicate the 10^(th) OFDM symbol with value‘00’, the 11^(th) OFDM symbol with value ‘01’, and the 12^(th) OFDMsymbol with value ‘10’. This operation may also be applicable in thesame manner to a case in which there are three or more candidates as thestarting OFDM symbol of a pSF in a combination including the first orsecond EPDCCH configuration method.

4.2.3.1 EREG Indexing Method

Now, a description will be given of an enhanced REG (EREG) indexing ofREs in an EPDCCH, when self-scheduling is performed using the EPDCCH.Methods described in Section 4.2.3.1 and Section 4.2.3.2 are applied toa PStart pSF.

After the eNB indexes EREGs in the same manner as for an EPDCCH in alegacy normal SF (i.e., a full SF), the eNB may assume that symbols nottransmitted in a pSF have been punctured. Or the eNB may perform newEREG indexing, starting with the actual starting symbol of the pSF.

If it is restricted that the pSF is configured in alignment with a slotboundary, especially to start at the second slot boundary of acorresponding SF, the eNB may index allocated EREGs in the same manneras for a normal SF, puncture OFDM symbols of the first slot, and map thepunctured OFDM symbols to the second slot, thereby configuring the pSF.

EREGs are used to define mapping of REs of an enhanced control channel.There may exist 16 EREGs, EREG 0 to EREG 15 per PRB pair in a full SF.For antenna port p={107, 108, 109, 110} in a normal CP case or antennaport p={107, 108} in an extended CP case, all REs except DM-RS REs arecyclically mapped in an ascending order of EREG 0 to EREG 15 in a PRBpair in a frequency-first manner, and then mapped to time resources.Every RE with index i may form EREG i in the PRB pair.

In regard to frame structure type 3, if a higher-layer parameter (e.g.,subframeStartPosition) indicates ‘s07’ and a DL transmission starts inthe second slot of an SF (i.e., a pSF is configured), theabove-described EREG mapping methods may be applied to the second slotof the SF, instead of the first slot.

Frame structure type 3 is a new frame structure used in LAA, and ‘s07’indicated by the higher-layer parameter may mean that the first SF of aTxOP (DL burst or RRP) is configured as a pSF.

4.2.3.2 Setting of Minimum Aggregation Level

A method for setting a minimum aggregation level of an EPDCCH for a pSFwill be described below.

A value configured for a special SF in the LTE-A system may be reused asa minimum aggregation level. For example, minimum aggregation levels maybe set separately for special SF configurations 3, 4, and 8 (i.e., thenumber of symbols in a pSF is 11 or 12) and special SF configurations 1,2, 6, 7, and 9 (i.e., the number of symbols in a pSF is 7, 9, or 10), ina normal CP case.

If a pSF is configured with a number of symbols (e.g., Q symbols) whichis not defined in any special SF configuration, the minimum aggregationlevel of an EPDCCH for the pSF may be defined according to aconfiguration method for a special SF configuration indicating symbolsof a length close to Q (a maximum length greater than Q or symbols of aminimum length larger than Q). The same rule may be readily extended toan extended CP case.

4.2.3.3 EPDCCH Monitoring SF

In the current LTE-A system, a monitoring SF for an EPDCCH is indicatedto a UE on a cell basis by RRC signaling.

The UE may consider that RRC signaling of an EPDCCH monitoring SF in aUCell is valid only during a DL burst.

Or this RRC signaling may not be allowed for any of UCells (or aspecific UCell). Instead, a predefined configuration for a PCell (oranother cell) may be used. This rule may be applied in the same mannerto a Multicast/Broadcast Single Frequency Network (MBSFN) SF defined bycross-carrier scheduling (or self-scheduling).

4.2.3.4 Zero Power CSI-RS (ZP-CSI-RS) Configuration Method

In the LTE-A system, a ZP-CSI-RS configuration for a specific EPDCCH setis indicated by RRC signaling.

In view of the nature of a DL burst that discontinuously takes place ina UCell in the LAA system, it may be difficult to periodically configureZP-CSI-RSs. Therefore, a UE may consider that signaling of a ZP-CSI-RSconfiguration for a UCell is valid only during a DL burst.

Or if an aperiodic ZP-CSI-RS configuration is introduced for an EPDCCHset transmitted in a UCell, the UE may consider that ZP-CSI-RSsconfigured for an EPDCCH set by RRC signaling are not valid.

REs carrying ZP-CSI-RSs are rate-matched in an EPDCCH of the LTE-Asystem. In this case, REs carrying ZP-CSI-RSs configured by RRCsignaling may not be rate-matched.

Further, it may be regulated that ZP-CSI-RS REs of an aperiodicZP-CSI-RS configuration are rate-matched.

4.2.3.5 Starting Position of PDSCH

In the LTE-A system, when self-scheduling is performed through anEPDCCH, the starting symbol of a PDSCH is set to be identical to thestarting symbol of the EPDCCH configured by higher-layer signaling. Inembodiments of the present disclosure, it may be configured that thestarting position of the first SF of a DL burst (or TxOP) is the 4^(th)OFDM symbol, and the DL burst is self-scheduled in a UCell through anEPDCCH. Then, the UE may determine that the starting symbol of a PDSCHin the first SF of the DL burst is the 4^(th) OFDM symbol, and thestarting symbol of a PDSCH in the remaining SFs of the DL burst isdifferent from the starting symbol of the configured EPDCCH. Forexample, the starting symbol of a PDSCH in an SF other than the first SFof a DL burst may be predefined as the 1^(st) OFDM symbol or configuredby higher-layer signaling.

[Table 8] below illustrates one of methods for configuring the startingposition of a PDSCH.

TABLE 8 TS 36.213> 7.1.6.4 PDSCH starting position The starting OFDMsymbol for the PDSCH of each activated serving cell is given by indexl_(DataStart) in the first slot in a subframe. For a UE configured intransmission mode 1-9, for a given activated serving cell - if the PDSCHis assigned by EPDCCH received in the same serving cell, or if the UE isconfigured to monitor EPDCCH in the subframe and the PDSCH is notassigned by a PDCCH/EPDCCH, and if the UE is configured with the higherlayer parameter epdcch-StartSymbol-r11 - l_(DataStart) is given by thehigher-layer parameter epdcch-StartSymbol-r11. - else if PDSCH and thecorresponding PDCCH/EPDCCH are received on different serving cells -l_(DataStart) is given by the higher-layer parameter pdsch-Start-r10 forthe serving cell on which PDSCH is received, - Otherwise - l_(DataStart)is given by the CFI value in the subframe of the given serving cell whenN_(RB) ^(DL) > 10, and l_(DataStart) is given by the CFI value + 1 inthe subframe of the given serving cell when N_(RB) ^(DL) ≤ 10.

4.2.3.6 Number of EREGs in One ECCE

In the LTE-A system, for special SF configuration 1, 2, 6, 7, or 9having a smaller number of OFDM symbols (or REs) capable of carrying anEPDCCH, the number of EREGs in an ECCE is set not to 4 but to itsdouble, 8. For details, refer to Section 9.1.4 of 3GPP TS 36.213.

In the LAA system, even when the number of OFDM symbols (or REs) capableof carrying an EPDCCH is reduced due to transmission of a pSF, a similaroperation may be performed. For example, if the number of OFDM symbolsin a pSF is 11 or larger, the number of EREGs per ECCE may be set to 4,whereas if the number of OFDM symbols in a pSF is less than 11, thenumber of EREGs per ECCE may be set to 8.

The method for configuring the number of EREGs per ECCE is applied toPStart.

4.2.3.7 Number of EPDCC Decoding Candidates

In the LTE-A system, in case of the number of REs available fortransmission of an EPDCCH in an SF is small relative to the size of DCIto be transmitted on the EPDCCH (Case 1) or in case of the number ofEREGs per ECCE is 8 and thus the total number of ECCEs gets small (Case2), the number of EPDCCH decoding candidates in a specific SF may vary.For details in regard to application of Case 1 or Case 2, refer toSection 9.1.4 of 3GPP TS 36.213.

In the LAA system, if the number of OFDM symbols in a pSF is equal to orless than a specific number (e.g., a preset value or a value indicatedby higher-layer signaling), Case 1 may be applied.

Or in the case where a specific condition is satisfied as described inSection 4.2.3.5, if the number of EREGs per ECCE is always fixed to 8,Case 2 may be applied.

In the LTE-A system, the number n_(EPDCCH) of REs per PRB pair in anormal SF (i.e., a full SF) is 168. If a pSF is configured to includeone slot, it may have 84 REs. Even when the pSF is configured in a sizelarger than one slot, it is highly probable that the pSF is configuredwith 104 or fewer REs.

In this case, if n_(EPDCCH)<104, Case 1 may be applied. For example, ifn_(EPDCCH)<104, the UE may decode an EPDCCH, assuming Case 1. Referringto Table(s) 9.1.4-1a, 9.1.4-1b, 9.1.4-2a, 9.1.4-2b, 9.1.4-3a, 9.1.4-3b,9.1.4-4a, 9.4.4-4b, 9.1.4-5a, and/or 9.1.4-5b of TS 36.213 standarddocument, if Case 1 is applied, EPDCCH aggregation levels “2, 4, 8, 16(,32)” larger than “1, 2, 4, 8(, 16)” are applied. That is, the eNB mayconfigure and transmit an EPDCCH so that an EPDCCH aggregation level maybe doubled, compared to application of Case 2 or Case 3.

Therefore, if the number n_(EPDCCH) of REs in a pSF is equal to or lessthan a predetermined number (e.g., 104) in the LAA system, the eNB mayconfigure an EPDCCH by applying Case 1 (i.e., by increasing an EPDCCHaggregation level) and transmit the EPDCCH to a UE. When the pSF isconfigured, the UE may blind-decode the EPDCCH based on application ofCase 1.

In another aspect of the embodiments, a different choice may be madeaccording to the length of a pSF in the afore-described methods inSection 4.2.1 and Section 4.2.3. For example, if the length of a pSF islarger than Z symbols, the eNB may perform self-scheduling using aPDCCH, and if the length of a pSF is equal to or less than Z symbols,the eNB may perform self-scheduling using an EPDCCH.

The methods described in section 4.2.3.7 are applied to a pSF which is aPStart.

In another aspect of the embodiments, the same configuration of thestarting symbol of an (E)PDCCH may be applied to a normal SF (i.e., afull SF) other than a pSF in the afore-described methods in Section4.2.1 and Section 4.2.3. For example, a PDCCH may be configured,starting with the 5^(th) OFDM symbol (1^(st) slot, 1=4) of a full SF,and a PDSCH may be configured with the remaining OFDM symbols except forthe PDCCH region.

4.2.3.8 Method for Restricting Scheduling Scheme

As described before in Section 4.2, if a UE is configured to beself-scheduled, when the eNB performs self-scheduling for a pSF, the eNBmay indicate the position of a control channel for the pSF to the UE orthe UE detects the position of the control channel. As a result,implementation complexity may be increased.

Therefore, the UE may be configured so that a pSF may be scheduled forthe UE only by cross-carrier scheduling, not self-scheduling. If the eNBshould perform self-scheduling at a transmission time of the pSF, thepSF may not include a PDSCH. For example, the pSF may include a dummysignal used simply to occupy a channel or may be configured only for thepurpose of synchronization acquisition, AGC setting, and/or cellidentification. That is, if self-scheduling is configured for the UE,the UE may not expect to receive a pSF.

4.3. Hybrid Scheduling

Hereinbelow, a description will be given of a hybrid scheduling schemein which both cross-carrier scheduling and self-scheduling are usedaccording to a channel environment or a system requirement.

When the first SF of a DL burst is self-scheduled in a UCell, theposition of a control channel is not constant because the length of thefirst SF of the DL burst is variable. Therefore, self-scheduling of thefirst SF may be difficult from the perspective of the eNB and the UE.Further, if the number of UCells is increased, the overhead ofcross-carrier scheduling in a PCell may increase significantly.

Accordingly, it may be configured that cross-carrier scheduling isapplied to the first SF (or pSF) of a DL burst and self-scheduling isapplied to the remaining SFs of the DL burst.

In a CA situation of the LTE-A system, the eNB indicates whether a cellis cross-carrier-scheduled or self-scheduled to the UE by RRC signaling.In contrast, in an embodiment of the present disclosure, cross-carrierscheduling may be performed for a part of one DL burst, and self-carrierscheduling may be performed for the remaining part of the DL burst. Thisis referred to as hybrid scheduling.

4.3.1 Pre-Scheduling

Cross-carrier scheduling that an eNB performs at the time of SF #N+1earlier than the start of a pSF has been defined as pre-scheduling inFIG. 15. Referring to FIG. 15, a PDSCH transmitted in SF #N+1 may bescheduled in SF #N+1 of the PCell, and the other SFs may beself-scheduled in the UCell.

Even though the PDSCH is pre-scheduled at the time of SF #N+1, if thechannel is not idle in SF #N+1, the eNB may pre-schedule the PDSCH againin SF #N+2 without transmitting a pSF in SF #N+1. To solve the problem,the eNB may indicate to the UE that a DL burst has actually started byadditional signaling, aside from pre-scheduling.

For example, the eNB may explicitly indicate to the UE that the DL bursthas started at the time of SF #N+2 in FIG. 15. More specifically, a DLburst start notification message may be transmitted to the UE in a CSS.

The UE may expect cross-carrier scheduling until before receiving the DLburst start notification message indicating the start of the DL burst,and self-scheduling until the DL burst ends, including the SF carryingthe DL burst start notification message. The UE's expectation ofcross-carrier scheduling or self-carrier scheduling means that the UEmonitors and decodes an SS of the PCell or the UCell to decode a PDCCHand/or an EPDCCH.

The length of the DL burst may be configured for the UE byphysical-layer signaling or higher-layer signaling.

In another aspect of the embodiment, the eNB may explicitly indicate thelength of the first SF (e.g., pSF) of the DL burst to the UE at the timeof SF #N+2 in the PCell or UCell in FIG. 15. For example, the eNB maytransmit the information to the UE in a CSS.

If the length of the first SF of the DL burst is larger than W symbols,the first SF is scheduled by cross-carrier scheduling, and if the lengthof the first SF of the DL burst is equal to or less than W symbols, thefirst SF may be scheduled by self-scheduling. The UE is configured toexpect cross-carrier scheduling until before receiving information aboutthe length of the first SF of the DL burst. The UE may determine thelength of the SF of the received DL burst in the CSS, and may be awarethat a different scheduling scheme is applied according to an SF length.For example, if the length of the first SF of the DL burst is largerthan W symbols, the UE may expect cross-carrier scheduling for the firstSF and self-carrier scheduling for the remaining SFs of the DL burst. Onthe contrary, if the length of the first SF of the DL burst, knownthrough a CSS is equal to or less than W symbols, the UE may expectself-scheduling for the SFs of the DL burst.

4.3.2 Post-Scheduling

Cross-carrier scheduling at a time later than the starting time of a pSFhas been defined as post-scheduling with reference to FIG. 15.Transmission of a PDSCH in SF #N+1 may be scheduled in SF #N+2 of aPCell, and the remaining SFs may be scheduled by self-scheduling in aUCell.

Similarly to Section 4.3.1, the eNB may explicitly indicate to the UEthat a DL burst has actually started by signaling, aside frompost-scheduling. The UE may expect both cross-carrier scheduling in thePCell and self-scheduling in the UCell. Upon receipt of a messageindicating the start of the DL burst in the PCell, the UE may expectonly self-scheduling in the UCell, not cross-carrier scheduling in thePCell, from the next SF till the end of the DL burst. The length of theDL burst may be configured by physical-layer signaling or higher-layersignaling.

4.3.3 Hybrid Scheduling for Specific UCell

A UE may be configured to always expect both cross-carrier schedulingand self-scheduling for a specific UCell.

In the scheduling methods described in Section 4.3.1, 4.3.2, or 4.3.3,the eNB may be configured to always perform cross-carrier schedulingand/or self-carrier scheduling for a specific UCell. Further, the eNBmay be configured to always perform cross-carrier scheduling and/orself-carrier scheduling, starting from a determined time (or during adetermined time period).

4.3.4 Search Space

In the hybrid scheduling methods described in Section 4.3, it has beenassumed that a scheduling grant for one UCell may be transmitted in oneor more of a plurality of UCells at a specific time point. For example,from the viewpoint of a specific UE, the UE may expect that a schedulinggrant for UCell1 will be transmitted from the eNB at a time of SF #N inUCell1 as well as a PCell. Or the UE may expect that the schedulinggrant for UCell1 will be transmitted from the eNB at a time of SF #N inUCell2 as well as the PCell. Hereinbelow, a description will be given ofmethods for configuring a PDCCH search space and PDCCH BD methods of aUE in an environment in which one UCell may be scheduled by a pluralityof cells.

A PDCCH search space for scheduling of a scheduled cell may beconfigured simultaneously in all of a plurality of scheduling cells thatschedule other cells. Further, the UE may attempt PDCCH BD to detectscheduling information for the scheduled cell, at the same time in thesearch spaces of the plurality of scheduling cells. The number of BDsperformed for the specific scheduled cell by the UE may be determined asfollows.

If the number of BDs for a specific scheduled cell is N and the numberof scheduling cells is K (>1) in the LTE-A system, the UE may set thenumber of BDs for the scheduled cell to a value larger than N. Forexample, the UE may set the number of BDs for the scheduled cell to K×N.Or given a plurality of scheduling cells, the UE may set the number ofBDs for the scheduled cell to a value equal to or less than N, inconsideration of UE implementation complexity that increases with anincrease in the number of BDs for the specific scheduled cell.

In another aspect of the embodiments, a method for maintaining thenumber of BDs to be N in spite of a plurality of scheduling cells willbe described below.

The simplest method is to equally divide the number of BDs between ascheduling cell(s). For example, if there are two scheduling cells, thenumber of BDs for each scheduling cell may be set to 2/N. When thismethod is applied, the number of BDs per Aggregation Level (AL) may beset equally between the plurality of scheduling cells. For example, ifthe numbers of BDs are {6, 6, 2, 2} respectively for ALs {1, 2, 4, 8}and K=2, the numbers of BDs per AL may be set to {3, 3, 1, 1} for eachscheduling cell.

Or the number of BDs may be set unequally between a scheduling cell(s).For example, a larger number of BDs may be set for a scheduling cellhaving a large system bandwidth, or for a scheduling cell (PCell) in alicensed band. For example, if the numbers of BDs are {6, 6, 2, 2}respectively for ALs {1, 2, 4, 8} and K=2, the numbers of BDs per AL maybe set to {4, 4, 2, 2} for the scheduling cell having the large systembandwidth or the scheduling cell of the licensed band, and the numbersof BDs per AL may be set to {2, 2, 0, 0} for the other scheduling cells.This may be interpreted as setting a larger number of BDs at a higher ALfor a scheduling cell having a large system bandwidth or a schedulingcell in a licensed band.

If there are a plurality of scheduling cells and the total number of BDsis set to M larger or smaller than N, the number M of DBs may be setequally or unequally between the scheduling cells according to the aboveproposed methods.

Now, a description will be given of a method for allocating a number ofBDs, when all or a part of a plurality of scheduling cells are TDD cellsin another aspect of the embodiment of the present disclosure.

According to a TDD DL/UL configuration, the number of scheduling cellshaving DL SFs at a specific time may be 1 or more. If the number ofscheduling cells having DL SFs at a specific time is K, the UE may setthe number of BDs for the scheduled cell to K×N.

Or even though the number of scheduling cells having DL SFs at aspecific time is changed, the UE may set the number of BDs to beconstant all the time. For example, if one scheduling cell has a DL SFat a specific time, the UE may perform N BDs in the scheduling cell. Iftwo or more scheduling cells have DL SFs at a specific time, the UE maydivide the number of BDs between the scheduling cells according to theproposed method, while maintaining the total number of BDs to be N.

Or in order to reduce the complexity of setting the number of BDsaccording to the number of scheduling cells having DL SFs at a specifictime, SFs in which a plurality of scheduling cells are allowed may belimited to SF #0, SF #1, SF #5, and SF #6. That is, a plurality ofscheduling cells may be allowed only in SFs always configured as DL SFsin the TDD DL/SL configurations of the current LTE-A system, and onlyself-scheduling may be allowed for the remaining SFs.

A scheduling grant for a specific scheduled cell may be transmitted in aplurality of scheduling cells, for UL transmission as well as DLtransmission. Herein, a PHICH for PUSCH transmission on the scheduledcell may be transmitted in a scheduling cell carrying a scheduling grantfor a PUSCH among the plurality of scheduling cells.

4.4. Method for Measuring and Reporting CSI for pSF

Validity for measuring CSI in a pSF will be described below. Thefollowing embodiments may be applied alone or in combination, when thescheduling methods described in Section 4.1 to Section 4.3 areperformed.

4.4.1 Setting of Validity According to SF Type

In regard to a variable pSF length, a mismatch may occur between a UEand an eNB. If a pSF is set as a CSI reference resource, the UE may feedback a wrong CSI value to the eNB due to the mismatch of pSF lengthinformation between the UE and the eNB. To avert the problem, a pSF maynot be regarded as a valid DL SF. Only a normal SF may be regarded as avalid DL SF.

For example, the eNB may not allocate CSI-RS resources to a pSF, and theUE does not use the pSF as a reference resource for CSI measurement andreporting, because it does not regard the pSF as a valid SF.Consequently, the UE may measure CSI only in a normal SF included in aDL burst (TxOP, RRP, or the like) and report the CSI measurement to theeNB, periodically or aperiodically. Needless to say, the UE may report aprevious CSI measurement to the eNB in spite of the absence of a DLburst in a CSI reporting period.

In Section 4.4.1, a pSF may be a PStart pSF with some first OFDM symbolsempty or a PEnd pSF with some last OFDM symbols empty.

4.4.2 Setting of Validity According to pSF Length

In view of the nature of an unlicensed band which eNBs randomly accessby contention, a specific eNB may occupy the band at a low rate. If apSF is excluded from valid DL SFs in this situation, the number of CSIreference resources available to a UE is not large, and thus the UE maynot accurately measure and report a CQI. In this context, a pSF may beregarded as a valid DL SF.

D-2a) The validity of a pSF may be determined according to the length ofthe pSF. For example, only if the pSF is longer than 7680 Ts, the pSFmay be considered to be a valid DL SF. 7680 Ts is a minimum unit of aspecial SF defined in the LTE-A system.

D-2b) Whether the starting pSF (or ending pSF) of a DL burst issupported may be configured as UE capabilities (and/or eNBcapabilities). The eNB may determine that the starting pSF (or endingpSF) is valid only for a UE that has transmitted UE capability signalingindicating that the UE is capable of receiving a starting pSF (or endingpSF) and/or a UE that has received eNB capability signaling.

The pSF may be configured in the starting and/or ending SF of a DLburst. The methods described in Section 4.4.1 and Section 4.4.2 may beapplied to the ending SF of a DL burst as well as the starting SF of theDL burst.

4.5. Floating TTI

A floating TTI structure will be described. As illustrated in theexample of FIG. 20, even though an eNB completes an LBT operation (CCAor CS operation) at a time other than an SF boundary, an SF of a fullsize other than a pSF may always be configured. For example, the eNB maytransmit an SF, while always maintaining a TTI of about 1 ms. This maybe defined as a floating TTI structure.

4.5.1 Restriction of Starting Position

As stated before in Section 4.2.2, if a PDCCH is longer than one OFDMsymbol, it may be necessary to limit the starting position of a floatingTTI. Regarding a UE using a TM in which PDSCH decoding is attemptedbased on DM-RSs, if a floating TTI is transmitted to the UE asillustrated in FIG. 21, the UE may have an error in channel estimationbased on DM-RSs. FIG. 21 is a view illustrating a method for restrictingthe starting position of a floating TTI, when the floating TTI isconfigured.

For example, if DM-RSs are multiplexed along the time axis in CodeDivision Multiplexing (CDM), channel information may mismatch betweentwo DM-RSs in a structure in which DM-RSs are apart from each other byabout 1 ms, not residing in contiguous OFDM symbols, as illustrated inFIG. 21. As a result, orthogonality may not be ensured, therebydegrading the channel estimation performance of the UE.

To solve the problem, the starting position of a floating TTI may berestricted so that DM-RSs may be transmitted in contiguous OFDM symbols.For example, it may be configured that a floating TTI should not startin the 6^(th) OFDM symbol and the 13^(th) OFDM symbol in FIG. 21. InFIG. 21, the 6^(th) OFDM symbol to the 13^(th) OFDM symbol are includedin SF #n, and the 0^(th) OFDM symbol to the 5^(th) OFDM symbol areincluded in SF #n+1.

In another aspect of the embodiment, the starting position of a floatingTTI may be restricted in a certain SF, in consideration of the bufferingcapability of a UE. In the structure of the floating TTI, buffering on aminimum transmission unit (e.g., 1 ms) basis is needed in UEs. However,some UE may not support 1-ms buffering. For example, considering UEsthat support only 1-slot buffering, the starting position of a floatingTTI may be restricted to after the first or second OFDM symbol.

4.5.2 Length of Last Floating TTI of DL Burst

If the ending time of an LBT operation of the eNB does not accuratelymatch an OFDM symbol boundary, the eNB may transmit a reservation signalfrom the time until the next OFDM symbol boundary. Further, if atransmission node occupies a channel once, a maximum occupancy time maybe limited. FIG. 22 is a view illustrating one of methods for settingthe length of the last floating TTI of a DL burst.

As illustrated in FIG. 22, it is assumed that after the eNB starts totransmit a reservation signal for channel occupation, in the middle ofthe third OFDM symbol of SF #n, a floating TTI starts in the fourth OFDMsymbol and a maximum time available for channel occupation of atransmission node is 2 ms. Herein, the last OFDM symbol of the last TTI(e.g., the third OFDM symbol of SF #n+2) may not be transmitted.

If the starting position of a floating TTI is restricted as described inSection 4.5.1, a reservation signal may be longer than one OFDM symbol.Then, the last floating TTI of the DL burst may be shorter than the TTIillustrated in FIG. 21.

If the UE is capable of determining that the floating TTI is the lastfloating TTI of the DL burst by higher-layer signaling or physical-layersignaling, the eNB preferably indicates the number of OFDM symbols (orthe position of the ending OFDM symbol) of the last TTI as well as theposition of the starting OFDM symbol of the last TTI.

On the other hand, if the UE is not capable of determining that thefloating TTI is the last floating TTI of the DL burst, the eNBpreferably indicates the number of OFDM symbols (or the position of theending OFDM symbol) of a TTI as well as the position of the startingOFDM symbol of the TTI, in a scheduling grant for each floating TTI.

Only if a reservation signal is configured with a sequence known to theeNB and the UE, and the UE is aware of the number of floating TTIs in aDL burst by higher-layer signaling or physical-layer signaling, the UEmay implicitly determine the length of the last floating TTI of the DLburst.

For example, if the reservation signal is received across two OFDMsymbols and the UE is aware that a DL burst includes two floating TTIs,upon receipt of a scheduling grant in the second floating TTI, the UEmay perform decoding on the assumption that the floating TTI includes 12OFDM symbols, not 14 OFDM symbols.

4.5.3 Method for Transmitting EPDCCH in Floating TTI

A UE self-scheduled through a PDCCH may determine the starting positionof a floating TTI from a PDCCH that always starts from the first OFDMsymbol of an SF.

However, since the starting symbol of an EPDCCH may not be constant in afloating TTI, a UE self-scheduled through an EPDCCH should performEPDCCH decoding with respect to all starting position candidates inorder to successfully receive the EPDCCH. As a result, theimplementation complexity of the UE increases significantly.

To avert the problem, the eNB may indicate the starting position of anEPDCCH to a UE, using a CSS of a PCell in an embodiment of the presentdisclosure. Or as described in Section 4.5.2, the eNB may alsoexplicitly indicate the ending position of the EPDCCH to the UE inconsideration of a variable ending position of the last TTI.

4.6 Method for Configuring PDCCH Region and Starting Symbol of PDSCH

4.6.1 Method for Configuring PDCCH Region

If a PCFICH is not defined in a UCell, a PDCCH region in the UCell maybe configured for a UE by higher-layer signaling. The configured valuemay be applied to self-carrier scheduling and/or cross-carrierscheduling. Or the configured value may be applied UE-specifically orcell-specifically.

The starting symbol of a PDSCH may be determined according to the PDCCHregion configured by higher-layer signaling. For example, in the casewhere the PDCCH region is configured to include two OFDM symbols and thestarting position of a pSF is set to the 0^(th) OFDM symbol or the3^(rd) OFDM symbol, the UE may assume that if the pSF starts in the0^(th) OFDM symbol, the PDSCH starts in the 2^(nd) OFDM symbol, and ifthe pSF starts in the 3^(rd) OFDM symbol, the PDSCH starts in the 5^(th)OFDM symbol.

4.6.2 Configuration of Starting Symbol of PDSCH

The starting symbol of a PDSCH in a DL burst may be configured for theUE by higher-layer signaling. The configured value may be applied toself-carrier scheduling and/or cross-carrier scheduling. The configuredvalue may also be UE-specific or cell-specific. A plurality of valuesmay be available as the starting symbol of the PDSCH according to thestarting position of a pSF, and the PDCCH region may be implicitlydetermined according to the starting symbol of the PDSCH. For example,if the starting symbol of the PDSCH is set to the 3^(rd) OFDM symbol,the UE may assume that in spite of the absence of a PCFICH, the PDCCHregion includes three OFDM symbols, the 0^(th) OFDM symbol to the 2^(nd)OFDM symbol.

4.6.3 Higher-Layer Signaling Method

Both the PDCCH region and the starting symbol of the PDSCH may beconfigured by higher-layer signaling. The configured values may beapplied to self-carrier scheduling and/or cross-carrier scheduling. Allof the configured values may be UE-specific or cell-specific. Or a partof the values may be UE-specific, and the other part may becell-specific. Herein, it may be restricted that the starting symbol ofthe PDSCH is configured only after the PDCCH region. Or the UE may notexpect signaling of a PDCCH region and the starting symbol of a PDSCH,overlapped with each other.

4.7 Operations of eNB and UE, for Operating pSF

As described before, a UE may operate in a different manner depending onhow an eNB applies pSF structures. For the convenience of description, apSF with some first OFDM symbols empty is defined as ‘PStart’, a pSFwith some last OFDM symbols empty is defined as ‘PEnd’, and a normal SFis defined as ‘Full’, among SFs of a DL burst in embodiments of thepresent disclosure.

Further, a DL burst may be referred to as a DL Tx burst, interchangeablyused with a TxOP or an RRP. Herein, the DL burst may cover atransmission period of a reservation signal in concept.

4.7.1 G1) Method for Operating Only PStart and Full

The eNB may operate only PStart and Full, and set a different PStartlength according to the type of a UE to be scheduled as follows.

G1-A) A cross-carrier-scheduled UE may expect scheduling only in Full.

G1-B) A UE configured to be self-scheduled through a PDCCH may expectscheduling in both PStart and Full. Any OFDM symbol is available as thestarting OFDM symbol of PStart, and the starting OFDM symbol of PStartmay be restricted to some OFDM symbols. For example, it may berestricted that PStart should start only in the 5^(th) OFDM symbolcarrying second CRS antenna port 0. Or it may be restricted that PStartshould start only at a second slot boundary.

The UE may determine an actual starting time of PStart depending onwhether CRS and/or PDCCH decoding is successful. Or the UE may determinethe starting time of PStart according to the position of a preamble (orinitial signal) and/or a sequence.

G1-C) A UE configured to be self-scheduled through an EPDCCH may expectscheduling of both PStart and Full. Or whether an EPDCCH can be decodedin PStart is defined as a UE capability, and thus the eNB may scheduleonly a UE from which the eNB has received signaling indicating that theUE is capable of decoding an EPDCCH in PStart, through a PStart EPDCCH.Or the eNB may indicate to each UE (or cell-commonly) whether schedulingis performed through an EPDCCH in PStart by higher-layer signaling(e.g., RRC signaling). Or an EPDCCH may not be configured to besupported in PStart. The starting OFDM symbol of PStart may berestricted as in G1-B), and the starting OFDM symbol of a UEcorresponding to G1-B) may be different from the starting OFDM symbol ofa UE corresponding to G1-C).

For example, if the starting OFDM symbol of a UE corresponding to G1-B)corresponds to a second slot boundary, and the starting OFDM symbol of aUE corresponding to G1-C) is the third OFDM symbol, the eNB maydetermine whether to apply G1-B) or G1-C) depending on the type of ascheduled UE or the ending time of an LBT operation.

In Method G1-C), it may be determined in one of the following methodswhether a UE is for PStart or Full.

(1) Method 1: The eNB may indicate the type of an SF to the UE byexplicit signaling. Two or more EPDCCH sets may be configured for theUE. In the case of a short EPDCCH, the UE may not determine whether anSF is Full or PStart. Therefore, the eNB may explicitly indicate whetherthe SF is Full or PStart and/or the size of the SF.

(2) Method 2: One of the two EPDCCH sets is preset for the usage ofPStart and the other EPDCCH set is preset for the usage of Full. Thus,the UE may determine whether the SF is PStart or Full depending on adecoded EPDCCH set.

(3) Method 3: The UE may determine whether the SF is Full or PStart byBD. For example, if PStart EPDCCHs (relatively short EPDCCHs) and FullEPDCCHs (relatively long EPDCCHs) are preset respectively in the twoEPDCCH sets, the UE may determine whether the SF is Full or PStartaccording to the length of a successfully decoded EPDCCH.

(4) Method 4: The UE may determine from a preamble transmitted in a DLburst whether an SF is Full or PStart. For example, if PStart EPDCCHs(relatively short EPDCCHs) and Full EPDCCHs (relatively long EPDCCHs)are preset respectively in the two EPDCCH sets, the UE may determinewhether the SF is Full or PStart according to the position of a preambleand/or a preamble sequence.

4.7.2 DM-RS Pattern Allocated to PStart

A description will be given of a method for configuring DM-RSs and anEPDCCH, when PStart includes 7 OFDM symbols.

FIG. 23 is a view illustrating a method for configuring DM-RSs and anEPDCCH in PStart.

If PStart is configured for a UE, a DM-RS pattern may be configured asone of FIGS. 23(a), (b), and (c). While a CRS pattern as configured inthe LTE-A system may still be used, one of FIGS. 23(a), (b), and (c) maybe applied as the DM-RS pattern.

In PStart, the starting position of an EPDCCH may be one of the 8^(th),9^(th), and 10^(th) OFDM symbols in FIG. 23, and the ending position ofthe EPDCCH may be one of the 12^(th) and 13^(th) OFDM symbols in FIG.23. In consideration of the transmission efficiency of a PDSCH to theUE, PStart may be configured not to include DM-RSs and/orCSI-RSs/CSI-IM.

4.7.3 G2) Method for Operating Only Full and PEnd

Methods for operating only Full and PEnd will be described below.

G2-A) A cross-carrier-scheduled UE may expect scheduling of both Fulland PEnd. Herein, additional signaling may be needed for an indicatorindicating whether an SF is PEnd or an indicator indicating the lengthof PEnd. For example, the indicator indicating whether an SF is PEnd (orindicating the length of PEnd) may be transmitted on a PDCCH.

G2-B) A UE configured to be self-scheduled by a PDCCH may expectscheduling of both Full and PEnd. Herein, additional signaling may beneeded for an indicator indicating whether an SF is PEnd or an indicatorindicating the length of PEnd. For example, the indicator indicatingwhether an SF is PEnd (or indicating the length of PEnd) may betransmitted to the UE by a common signal in a PCell or on a PCFICH orPDCCH in an LAA SCell.

G2-C) A UE configured to be self-scheduled by an EPDCCH may expectscheduling of only Full. Or the UE may expect scheduling of both Fulland PEnd. Or in the case where whether an EPDCCH can be decoded in PEndis defined as a UE capability, the eNB may schedule only a UE from whichthe eNB has received signaling indicating that the UE is capable ofdecoding an EPDCCH in PEnd, through a PEnd EPDCCH. Or the eNB mayindicate to each UE (or cell-commonly) whether scheduling is performedin PEnd through an EPDCCH by higher-layer signaling (e.g., RRCsignaling).

It may be determined in one of the following methods whether an SF isPEnd or Full.

(1) Method 1: the eNB may indicate whether an SF is Full or PEnd to theUE by a common signal in the PCell or on a PCFICH in the LAA SCell. Forexample, the UE may attempt to decode an EPDCCH set configured for theusage of PEnd. Or the UE may be aware that an SF is PEnd by a commonsignal in the PCell or on a PCFICH in the LAA SCell. This UE may beconfigured to perform PDCCH decoding (not EPDCCH decoding) in the SF.

(2) Method 2: The eNB may indicate by explicit signaling. That is, theeNB may explicitly indicate whether an SF is Full or PEnd or the size ofthe SF.

(3) Method 3: One of two EPDCCH sets is preset for the usage of PEnd,and the other EPDCCH set is preset for the usage of Full. Thus, the UEmay determine whether an SF is PEnd or Full depending on a decodedEPDCCH set.

(4) Method 4: The UE may determine whether an SF is Full or PEnd by BD.For example, if Full EPDCCHs (relatively long EPDCCHs) and PEnd EPDCCHs(relatively short EPDCCHs) are preset respectively in the two EPDCCHsets, the UE may determine whether the SF is Full or PEnd according tothe length of a successfully decoded EPDCCH.

(5) Method 5: The eNB may configure EPDCCHs according to DM-RS patterns.For example, if PEnd is configured in the structure of a DwPTS being aspecial SF, four DM-RS patterns may be configured according to thelengths of PEnd as illustrated in FIG. 24. FIG. 24 is a mere example.Thus, any other special SF structure may be used or a new DM-RS patternmay be configured.

In Method 5, the eNB may configure an EPDCCH to end in an OFDM symbolwith a minimum index among the ending OFDM symbols of DwPTSs supportingrespective DM-RS patterns. For example, if 11 to 13 OFDM symbols areincluded in the ending pSF of a DL burst, a DM-RS pattern as illustratedin FIG. 24(b) may be used. If a DwPTS includes 11 OFDM symbols in theLTE-A system (Rel-12), an EPDCCH configuration (e.g., number of EREGsper ECCE, supported EPDCCH formats, EPDCCH candidates monitored by a UE,and so on) defined by DwPTS configuration 3 or 8 may be used.

In another example of Method 5, if the ending pSF (PEnd) of a DL burstincludes 9 to 10 OFDM symbols, a DM-RS pattern as illustrated in FIG.24(c) may be used. If a DwPTS includes 9 OFDM symbols in the legacyRel-12 LTE-A system, an EPDCCH configuration defined by DwPTSconfiguration 1 or 6 may be used.

In another example of Method 5, if PEnd of a DL burst includes 6 to 8OFDM symbols, a DM-RS pattern as illustrated in FIG. 24(d) may be used.If a DwPTS includes 6 OFDM symbols in the legacy Rel-12 LTE-A system, anEPDCCH configuration defined by DwPTS configuration 9 may be used.

The eNB may configure as many EPDCCH sets as the number of predeterminedDM-RS patterns (or fewer EPDCCH sets than the number of predeterminedDM-RS patterns), and the UE may determine a DM-RS pattern according to adecoded EPDCCH set.

Or the eNB may configure up to two EPDCCH sets for each DM-RS pattern(or some DM-RS patterns), and the UE may attempt to decode appropriateEPDCCH sets according to a DM-RS pattern determined by explicitsignaling or BD.

When the UE attempts EPDCCH decoding (or DM-RS BD) for four DM-RSpattern candidates in each SF, as illustrated in FIG. 24, UEimplementation complexity may be very large. To solve the problem, atleast one of the following proposed methods may be used.

(A) Method 5-1: Combination with common signaling indicating Full SF orpSF.

If a UE determines that an SF is a Full SF by common signaling, the UEassumes the DM-RS pattern illustrated in FIG. 24(a). If the UEdetermines that the SF is a pSF by common signaling, the UE detectswhich DM-RS pattern is transmitted among the DM-RS patterns illustratedin FIGS. 24(b), (c), and (d), and thus may decode PEnd.

(B) Method 5-2: Combination with common signaling indicating DM-RSpattern

If the UE detects a DM-RS pattern of an SF by common signaling, the UEmay assume a specific DM-RS pattern illustrated in FIG. 24(a), (b), (c),or (d), and attempt to decode an EPDCCH set corresponding to each DM-RSpattern.

For example, if transmission of the DM-RS pattern illustrated in FIG.24(b) is indicated to the UE by common signaling, the UE may decode anEPDCCH set(s) in which an EPDCCH ending symbol is set to the 11^(th)OFDM symbol (or an OFDM symbol with a lower index).

(C) Method 5-3: Combination with common signaling indicating the numberof OFDM symbols in SF.

If the UE is aware of the ending OFDM symbol of an SF by commonsignaling, the UE may decode EPDCCH sets configured to end in the OFDMsymbol, to end earlier than the OFDM symbol, and/or to end in the lastplace among EPDCCH sets configured to end earlier than the OFDM symbol.

(D) Method 5-4: Exclusion of specific DM-RS pattern.

It may be pre-configured that some DM-RS patterns should not be used inSCells of the LAA system. Or it may be configured by higher-layersignaling that a specific UCell or a specific UE should not use someDM-RS patterns.

For example, if a pSF of a DwPTS structure with 6 OFDM symbols is notallowed in a specific UCell or for a specific UE in the LAA system, itmay be pre-configured that the DM-RS pattern illustrated in FIG. 24(d)should not be used. That is, the UE may be configured not to assume theDM-RS pattern for decoding.

In another example, the UE may be configured to decode even a Full SF onthe assumption of the DM-RS pattern illustrated in FIG. 24(b) or (c).

In another example, if a pSF includes 11 to 13 OFDM symbols, it may beconfigured that not the DM-RS pattern illustrated in FIG. 24(b) but theDM-RS pattern illustrated in FIG. 24(c) is used.

(E) Method 5-5: modification of specific DM-RS pattern.

An LAA SCell may not support a DwPTS structure including 6 OFDM symbols.Instead, a new DwPTS structure with 7 OFDM symbols may be introduced.For a corresponding DwPTS, the DM-RS pattern illustrated in FIG. 24(c)may be assumed.

Or if the DM-RS pattern illustrated in FIG. 24(d) is used, a DM-RSsequence different from a legacy DM-RS sequence may be used. Forexample, one of pseudo-random sequence generator parameters forinitializing a DM-RS scrambling sequence illustrated in FIG. 24(d),n_(s) may be set to a value (e.g., a predefined or configured offsetvalue+n_(s)) other than 0 to 19, or a specific value may bepre-configured as N_(ID) ^(cell) (or n_(ID,i)EPDCCH) by higher-layersignaling. The eNB and/or the UE may determine whether an SF is Full orPEnd based on a specific DM-RS pattern configured in this manner.

4.7.4 G3) Method for Operating all of PStart, Full, and PEnd

G3-A) A cross-carrier-scheduled UE may expect to be scheduled only inFull or PEnd as in Method G2-A).

G3-B) A UE configured to be self-carrier-scheduled by a PDCCH may expectto be scheduled only in PStart and Full as in Method G1-B). Or the UEmay expect to be scheduled only in Full or PEnd as in Method G2-B). Orthe UE may expect to be scheduled in all of PStart, Full, and PEnd.

The UE may perform CRS and/or PDCCH decoding at an SF boundary. If theUE succeeds in the decoding, the UE may determine whether an SF is Fullor PEnd by DCI (or a PCFICH).

On the contrary, if the UE fails in decoding at the SF boundary, the UEmay perform additional CRS and/or PDCCH decoding in the starting OFDMsymbol of PStart. If the UE succeeds in the CRS and/or PDCCH decoding,the UE may determine that PStart has started.

In another example, when determining that an SF has started at an SFboundary by the position of a preamble and/or a preamble sequence, theUE may perform CRS and/or PDCCH decoding at the SF boundary. If the UEsucceeds in the decoding, the UE may determine whether the SF is Full orPEnd by DCI (or a PCFICH).

If the UE determines PStart by the position of the preamble and/or thesequence, the UE may perform additional CRS and/or PDCCH decoding in thestarting OFDM symbol of PStart. If the UE succeeds in the decoding, theUE may determine that PStart has started.

G3-C) A UE configured to be self-carrier-scheduled by an EPDCCH mayexpect to be scheduled only in PStart and Full as in Method G1-C). Orthe UE may expect scheduling of only Full and PEnd as in Method G2-C).Or the UE may expect scheduling of all of PStart, Full, and PEnd. Orwhether an EPDCCH can be decoded in PStart and/or PEnd is defined as aUE capability, and thus the eNB may schedule only a UE from which theeNB has received signaling indicating that the UE is capable of decodingan EPDCCH in PStart and/or PEnd, through a PStart and/or PEnd EPDCCH. Orthe eNB may indicate UE-specifically and/or UCell-commonly whetherscheduling is performed through an EPDCCH in PStart and/or PEnd byhigher-layer signaling.

Or it may be restricted that an EPDCCH should be supported in one ofPStart and PEnd or in a Full SF, rather than the EPDCCH is supported inboth PStart and PEnd, from the viewpoint of a specific UE. The UE maydetermine whether an SF is PStart, Full, or PEnd in one of the followingmethods.

(A) Method 1: the UE may first determine whether an SF is Full or PEndby common signaling in the PCell or a PCFICH in the LAA SCell. If the SFis PEnd, (A) Method 1 of G2-2C) may be applied. If determining that theSF is not either Full or PEnd, the UE may apply (A) to (D) Method 4 ofG1-C), assuming that the SF is PStart.

(B) Method 2: the eNB may indicate the type of an SF to the UE byexplicit signaling. For example, only the fourth of the proposed fourEPDCCH types (i.e., an EPDCCH format with some first OFDM symbols andsome last OFDM symbols empty) is allowed, and the eNB may indicatewhether the SF is PStart, Full, or PEnd or indicate the length of theSF, by the EPDCCH.

(C) Method 3: Three EPDCCH sets may be defined in the system, and theusage of each EPDCCH set may be preset. The UE may determine whether anSF is PStart, Full, or PEnd according to a decoded EPDCCH set.

(D) Method 4: Combination of Explicit Signaling and Implicit Signaling

i) Method 4A: One of two EPDCCH sets may be set for the usage of Fulland the other may be set for the usage of PStart or PEnd in the system.The eNB may indicate whether an SF is PStart or PEnd or indicate thelength of the SF, by an EPDCCH.

ii) Method 4B: One of two EPDCCH sets may be set for the usage of PStartand the other may be set for the usage of Full or PEnd in the system.The eNB may indicate whether an SF is Full or PEnd or indicate thelength of the SF, by an EPDCCH.

iii) Method 4C: One of two EPDCCH sets may be set for the usage of PEndand the other may be set for the usage of Full or PStart in the system.The eNB may indicate whether an SF is Full or PStart or indicate thelength of the SF, by an EPDCCH.

iv) Method 4D: One of two EPDCCH sets may be set for the usage ofFull/PStart and the other may be set for the usage of Full/PEnd in thesystem. The eNB may indicate whether an SF is Full/PStart or Full/PEndby an EPDCCH. Or the eNB may additionally indicate the length of the SFby each EPDCCH.

v) Method 4E: One of three EPDCCH sets may be set for the usage of Full,another may be set for the usage of Full/PStart, and the other may beset for the usage of Full/PEnd in the system. The eNB may indicatewhether an SF is Full/PStart or Full/PEnd by each EPDCCH. Or the eNB mayadditionally indicate the length of the SF by each EPDCCH.

vi) Method 4F: One of three EPDCCH sets may be set for the usage ofFull, another may be set for the usage of Full/PStart, and the other maybe set for the usage of PEnd in the system. The eNB may indicate whetheran SF is Full or PStart or indicate the length of the SF, by an EPDCCH.

vii) Method 4G: One of three EPDCCH sets may be set for the usage ofFull, another may be set for the usage of PStart, and the other may beset for the usage of PEnd in the system. The eNB may indicate whether anSF is Full or PEnd or indicate the length of the SF, by an EPDCCH.

4.7.5 Method for Indicating Type of SF by EPDCCH

In the methods proposed in Section 4.7.1, Section 4.7.3, and Section4.7.4, the eNB may indicate the type of an SF to the UE by adding a newfield to an EPDCCH. For example, the new field may indicate whether anSF is (1) PStart or Full, (2) Full or PEnd, or (3) PStart, Full, orPEnd. Further, the eNB may indicate the length of an SF to the UE bydefining a new field transmitted on an EPDCCH.

In another method, for a self-carrier-scheduled UE or a UE for whichPUCCH format 3 transmission is configured to feed back a PUCCH HARQ-ACK,the eNB may borrow HARQ-ACK Resource Offset (ARO) fields included in aDCI format of the LTE-A system to indicate the type of an SF. That is,upon receipt of an ARO, the UE may determine the type of an SF, notoriginal information indicated by the ARO.

In another method, for a cross-carrier scheduled UE for which PUCCHformat 1a/1b is configured for channel selection to feed back a PUCCHHARQ-ACK, the eNB may borrow a Transmit Power Control (TPC) fieldincluded in a DCI format to indicate the type of an SF.

In another method, an ARO field for a self-carrier scheduled UE or a UEfor which PUCCH format 3 transmission is configured to feed back a PUCCHHARQ-ACK, or a TPC field for a cross-carrier scheduled UE for whichPUCCH format 1a/1b is configured for channel selection to feed back aPUCCH HARQ-ACK, may be used for another usage.

For example, the eNB may indicate an RS power value (a power ratio ofdata to an RS or a data power value) of an SF (or a DL Tx burst) to aUE. In another example, the eNB may indicate to the UE whether adiscovery RS is transmitted in an SF and/or indicate a PDSCH ratematching pattern.

4.7.6 EPDCCH Search Space and BD

In regard to an EPDCCH (refer to Sections 4.7.1, 4.7.3, and 4.7.4) inthe proposed Methods G1) to G3), a UE may be configured to perform BDseparately on an EPDCCH set candidate basis so that the UE may not berequired to perform more BDs than defined for an EPDCCH search space bythe legacy LTE system.

When EPDCCHs for the usage of Full (relatively long EPDCCHs) and EPDCCHsfor the usage of pSF (relatively short EPDCCHs) are configured in thesystem as in Method 3/4 of G1-C) and Method 4/5 of G2-C) and the UEdetermines whether an SF is a full SF or a pSF depending on the lengthof a successfully decoded EPDCCH, this method may be applied.

More specifically, if the number of BDs that a UE performs in a searchspace for an EPDCCH in the legacy LTE system is N, the UE may beconfigured to perform N BDs for EPDCCHs for the usage of Full(relatively long EPDCCHs) and N BDs for EPDCCHs for the usage of pSF(relatively short EPDCCHs). However, this case may increase UEimplementation complexity.

To avert the problem, the UE may be configured to maintain the totalnumber of BDs performed to detect an EPDCCH for the usage of Full andBDs performed to detect an EPDCCH for the usage of pSF to be N.

For example, the UE may be configured to equally perform N/2 BDs for theEPDCCHs for Full and the EPDCCHs for pSF. In another example, the UE maybe configured to perform more BDs for the EPDCCHs for Full than theEPDCCHs for pSF, or vice versa.

4.7.7 Method for Notifying Position of pSF

In the afore-described methods G1) to G3), the position of PStart and/orPEnd may be pre-configured for the eNB and/or the UE by higher-layersignaling. If there is a UE expecting to be scheduled only in Full andPEnd, the UE may expect scheduling only at predetermined Full and PEndpositions.

4.7.8 Scheduling Restriction Method

If the eNB operates PEnd as in the proposed methods G2) and G3),scheduling restriction may be configured for a UE using a DM-RS-basedTM.

For example, the eNB may not schedule PEnd for a self-scheduled UE forwhich an EPDCCH is configured or a UE for which a DM-RS-based TM isconfigured. Even though the eNB operates PEnd, the eNB may not transmitDM-RSs to the UE in PEnd.

More specifically, in the case where it may be indicated that an SF isPEnd by common signaling of a PCell to a UE for which a DM-RS-based TMis configured and by a PDCCH to a self-scheduled/cross-scheduled UE forwhich a PCIFCH or a PDCCH is configured, when a UE receives a schedulinggrant for the SF, the UE may consider that the scheduling grant is notvalid any longer.

Or the UE may interpret the validity of the scheduling grant differentlyaccording to the length of the SF. For example, if an SF has a lengthequal to or greater than X OFDM symbols and is PEnd, the UE maydetermine that a scheduling grant for the SF is valid. If the SF is PEndshorter than X OFDM symbols, the UE may determine that the schedulinggrant for the SF is not valid.

4.7.9 Method for Restricting CSI Configuration

Even when a self-scheduled UE for which an EPDCCH is configured receivesa scheduling grant in an SF and CSI-RSs/CSI-IMs are configured in theSF, the UE may assume that there are no valid CSI-RSs/CSI-IMs in the SF.More specifically, even though the SF is PEnd and CSI-RSs/CSI-IMs areconfigured in the SF, the UE may measure CSI, assuming that the SF doesnot include valid CSI-RSs/CSI-IM.

Or even though the SF is PEnd, a different UE operation may be definedaccording to the length of the SF. For example, if a CSI-RS/CSI-IMconfiguration is defined for application to PEnd, the UE may apply theCSI-RS/CSI-IM configuration to an SF determined to be PEnd.

These methods are applicable generally, not limited to a self-scheduledUE for which an EPDCCH is configured. For example, even though a UErecognizes the presence of CRSs or scheduling information in an SF, ifthe SF is PEnd (or PStart), the UE may assume that there are no validCSI-RSs/CSI-IM in the SF, in spite of the presence of CSI-RSs/CSI-IMconfigured in the SF.

Or if a CSI-RS/CSI-IM configuration is defined for application to PEnd(or PStart), the UE may apply the CSI-RS/CSI-IM configuration to an SFdetermined to be PEnd (or PStart).

4.7.10 Method for Transmitting Reservation Signal

If the time of data transmission in an LAA SCell is restricted (e.g., toan SF boundary), there may be a timing gap between an LBT ending time(CCA or CS ending time) and an actual data transmission time.Particularly, since an eNB and a UE use an LAA SCell not exclusively butby contention, any other system may attempt to transmit information inthe LAA SCell during the timing gap. Therefore, for example, the eNBpreferably transmits a reservation signal to prevent another system fromattempting to transmit information during the timing gap.

However, if the reservation signal is transmitted over a long period,the performance of the LTE system may be degraded and the reservationsignal may interfere with a WiFi system, thereby degrading theperformance of the WiFi system.

To solve the problem, a maximum value (i.e., Kms) may be set fortransmission of a reservation signal in the system. For example, it maybe set that K=1 ms (1 SF) or K=0.5 (1 slot). If a preamble including aPSS/SSS/CRS should be transmitted during a Z-OFDM symbol period (e.g.,Z>=1) at the start of each DL TX burst for the purpose of AGC/finesynchronization/cell identification, the K time value may be set toinclude Z or without Z.

Further, to minimize SF waste during transmission of a continuous DL Txburst, a TX gap may be preconfigured in some OFDM symbols of the last orfirst SF of the DL Tx burst. If an LBT operation can be completed duringa Tx gap, waste of one whole SF may be avoided. In the case of a UCell,the eNB should perform the LBT operation again after a predeterminedtime of occupying the UCell. Therefore, the Tx gap may be set to a timevalue that ensures an LBT operation for the eNB to occupy a specific SF.

If the Tx gap is set to W OFDM symbols, the maximum transmission timeperiod of a reservation signal may also be set to W OFDM symbols. If apreamble including a PSS/SSS/CRS should be transmitted during a Z-OFDMsymbol period (e.g., Z>=1) at the start of each Tx burst, Z may or maynot be included in W OFDM symbols.

If the Tx gap is variable in each Tx burst, the maximum value of areservation signal may be equal to the size of the variable Tx gap or amaximum available value of the Tx gap. Herein, the maximum value of thereservation signal may also be set to a time that covers or does notcover a preamble.

The maximum value of the reservation signal may be restricted on UL aswell as on DL in the same method, and the maximum value of thereservation signal may be set equally or independently on DL and UL.

On UL, the length of a reservation signal may not be related to settingof a Tx gap, and a reservation signal longer than 1 ms may also beallowed.

A time calculated by subtracting a minimum CS time taken for an LBToperation from the length of a reservation signal, Kms may be set as amaximum length of the reservation signal.

4.8 pSF for Transmission of Discovery RS (DRS)

pSFs proposed in Section 4.1 to Section 4.7 may be used as pSFs carryingDRSs as well as for a DL Tx burst including a PDSCH.

For example, if an available starting position of the DL burst (e.g., KOFDM symbols out of OFDM symbols transmitted in CRS antenna port 0) ispreset, a pSF carrying DRSs may be configured to start only at theavailable starting position of the DL Tx burst.

Or the pSF carrying DRSs may be configured to start only at a part ofpositions at which the DL Tx burst may start.

Since embodiments of the foregoing proposed methods may be included asone of implementation methods of the present disclosure, it is obviousthat they may be regarded as proposed methods. While the above-describedproposed methods may be performed independently, some proposed methodsmay be combined (or merged). An eNB may provide information indicatingwhether the proposed methods are applied (or information about the ruleof the proposed methods) to a UE by predefined signaling (e.g.,physical-layer signaling or higher-layer signaling).

4.9 Embodiment in Case of Cross-Carrier Signaling

The following embodiment is intended to describe the method described inSection 4.1.5 in greater detail from the viewpoint of signaling betweena UE and an eNB with reference to the attached drawings. FIG. 25 is adiagram illustrating a signal flow for a method for restricting an SFthat a UE decodes, when cross-carrier scheduling is configured.

FIG. 25 is for an LAA system. A PCell is a cell configured in a licensedband of an LTE-A system or the like, whereas a UCell is a cellconfigured in an unlicensed band. Cross-carrier scheduling may beconfigured for a UE by higher-layer signaling in the PCell (S2510).

Herein, the UE may determine aggregated cells from cross-carrierscheduling information received in step S2510. The cross-carrierscheduling information may include a Cell ID identifying a UCell.

Subsequently, the eNB may determine whether the UCell is idle through aCS operation (an LBT or CCA operation) (S2520). In step S2520, stepsS1410 to S1430 of FIG. 14 may be performed.

If the UCell is idle, the eNB may transmit to the UE a PDCCH and/or anEPDCCH carrying scheduling information required for data transmission tothe UE in the UCell (S2530).

However, if the cross-carrier scheduling and pre-scheduling method amongthe methods described in Section 4.1 is configured for the UE, the UEand the eNB may not predict when the CCA operation (the CS or LBToperation) will be completed in the UCell. Therefore, even though aconfigured TxOP includes a pSF, the UE may not expect scheduling of aPDSCH in the pSF. For example, the UE may expect cross-carrierscheduling for a full SF or PEnd, not expecting scheduling of PStartonly. That is, the UE may receive data, determining that a PDSCH isscheduled in a full SF and PEnd. Further, when cross-carrier schedulingis configured for the UE, the eNB may be configured not to schedule aPDSCH in a pSF (S2540).

If a PDSCH is not scheduled in the pSF in step S2540, the pSF may beused for synchronization, AGC setting, and/or cell identification.

4.10 Embodiment in Case of Self-Carrier Scheduling

FIG. 26 as described below is intended to describe the self-schedulingmethod of Section 4.2 from the viewpoint of signaling between a UE andan eNB.

The eNB may determine whether a UCell is idle by a CS operation. Fordetails of the CS operation, refer to FIG. 14, and Section 3.1 toSection 3.3 (S2610).

If determining that the UCell is idle, the eNB may configure a PDCCHand/or an EPDCCH to be transmitted for self-scheduling. For methods ofconfiguring a PDCCH and/or an EPDCCH, refer to Section 4.2.1 to Section4.2.3.7. Particularly, if a TxOP (DL burst or RRP) includes a pSF, theeNB may configure and transmit the PDCCH in the method described inSection 4.2.1, and the EPDCCH in the method described in Section 4.2.3.In case of the EPDCCH, the ECCEs configuring the EPDCCH, the EREGsconfiguring single ECCE, and search spaces where the EPDCCH to betransmitted are configured in consideration of the pSF (S2620).

The UE may acquire control information by decoding a search spacedefined in the LAA system in order to receive the PDCCH and/or theEPDCCH.

Subsequently, the eNB may transmit the PDCCH and/or the EPDCCH to the UEto schedule each SF in the TxOP of the UCell, and transmit a PDSCH tothe UE based on scheduling information included in the PDCCH and/or theEPDCCH (S2630 and S2640).

4.11 Methods for Measuring and Reporting CSI when pSF is Configured

Now, a description will be given of methods for measuring and reportingCSI when a pSF is configured for a UE.

FIG. 27 is a diagram illustrating a signal flow for a method formeasuring and reporting CSI when a pSF is configured.

The following description is given basically based on the description ofSection 4.4. Referring to FIG. 27, the eNB performs a CS operation in aUCell. If the UCell is idle, the eNB transmits a PDSCH to the UE duringa TxOP or the like. For details, refer to FIG. 14 and Section 3.1 toSection 3.3 (S2710 and S2720).

The UE may measure CSI periodically or aperiodically. Herein, the UE maymeasure CSI based on CSI-RS resources, CSI-IM resources, and CRSs mappedto the PDSCH transmitted in the UCell (S2730).

However, if the TxOP (RRP or DL burst) includes a pSF in step S2720,whether the pSF may be used as valid reference resources for CSImeasurement in the UE in step S2730 may be an issue. In an embodiment ofthe present disclosure, when the UE measures CSI, the UE may not regardthe pSF as a valid SF in order to overcome a pSF length mismatch betweenthe UE and the eNB. For details, refer to Section 4.4.1.

In another aspect of the embodiment, the pSF may be regarded as a validSF, for details of which, refer to Section 4.4.2.

If CSI is reported aperiodically, the UE should receive a relatedrequest from the eNB and thus step S2740 a or S2740 b is performed. Thatis, the eNB commands CSI reporting to the UE by transmitting a PDCCHand/or an EPDCCH including a CSI request field in the PCell and/or theUCell (S2740 a or S2740 b).

However, if the UE reports CSI periodically, step S2740 a/b may not beperformed.

The UE may measure CSI and report the CSI to the eNB periodically oraperiodically (S2750 a or S2750 b).

Steps S2740 b and S2750 b may be performed in the case of self-carrierscheduling, not in the case of cross-carrier scheduling.

5. Apparatuses

Apparatuses illustrated in FIG. 28 are means that can implement themethods described before with reference to FIGS. 1 to 27.

A UE may act as a transmitter on a UL and as a receiver on a DL. An eNBmay act as a receiver on a UL and as a transmitter on a DL.

That is, each of the UE and the eNB may include a transmitter 2840 or2850 and a receiver 2860 or 2870, for controlling transmission andreception of information, data, and/or messages, and an antenna 2800 or2810 for transmitting and receiving information, data, and/or messages.

Each of the UE and the eNB may further include a processor 2820 or 2830for implementing the afore-described embodiments of the presentdisclosure and a memory 2880 or 2890 for temporarily or permanentlystoring operations of the processor 2820 or 2830.

The embodiments of the present disclosure may be performed using theafore-described components and function of a UE and an eNB. For example,a processor of the eNB may set a backoff count and determine in each TTI(or SF) whether a backoff operation is allowed in the TTI (or SF). Ifthe backoff operation is allowed in the TTI (or SF), the processor mayperform a CS operation by controlling a transmitter and/or a receiver.When performing the CS operation, the processor may decrement thebackoff count by 1. If the backoff count becomes 0, the processor of theeNB may transmit or receive a reservation signal and/or data to or fromthe UE in a UCell.

Further, the afore-described processors of the UE and the eNB may beconfigured to support the afore-described cross-carrier scheduling,self-carrier scheduling, hybrid scheduling, methods for measuring CSI ina pSF, methods for configuring a floating TTI, method for configuring aPDCCH region and an EPDCCH region, and operations for them. For thepurpose, the processors of the UE and the eNB may be operativelyconnected to the transmitters and the receivers and control thetransmitters and the receivers.

The transmitters and the receivers of the UE and the eNB may perform apacket modulation/demodulation function for data transmission, ahigh-speed packet channel coding function, OFDMA packet scheduling, TDDpacket scheduling, and/or channelization. Each of the UE and the eNB ofFIG. 28 may further include a low-power Radio Frequency(RF)/Intermediate Frequency (IF) module.

Meanwhile, the UE may be any of a Personal Digital Assistant (PDA), acellular phone, a Personal Communication Service (PCS) phone, a GlobalSystem for Mobile (GSM) phone, a Wideband Code Division Multiple Access(WCDMA) phone, a Mobile Broadband System (MBS) phone, a hand-held PC, alaptop PC, a smart phone, a Multi Mode-Multi Band (MM-MB) terminal, etc.

The smart phone is a terminal taking the advantages of both a mobilephone and a PDA. It incorporates the functions of a PDA, that is,scheduling and data communications such as fax transmission andreception and Internet connection into a mobile phone. The MB-MMterminal refers to a terminal which has a multi-modem chip built thereinand which can operate in any of a mobile Internet system and othermobile communication systems (e.g. CDMA 2000, WCDMA, etc.).

Embodiments of the present disclosure may be achieved by various means,for example, hardware, firmware, software, or a combination thereof.

In a hardware configuration, the methods according to exemplaryembodiments of the present disclosure may be achieved by one or moreApplication Specific Integrated Circuits (ASICs), Digital SignalProcessors (DSPs), Digital Signal Processing Devices (DSPDs),Programmable Logic Devices (PLDs), Field Programmable Gate Arrays(FPGAs), processors, controllers, microcontrollers, microprocessors,etc.

In a firmware or software configuration, the methods according to theembodiments of the present disclosure may be implemented in the form ofa module, a procedure, a function, etc. performing the above-describedfunctions or operations. A software code may be stored in the memory2880 or 2890 and executed by the processor 2820 or 2830. The memory islocated at the interior or exterior of the processor and may transmitand receive data to and from the processor via various known means.

Those skilled in the art will appreciate that the present disclosure maybe carried out in other specific ways than those set forth hereinwithout departing from the spirit and essential characteristics of thepresent disclosure. The above embodiments are therefore to be construedin all aspects as illustrative and not restrictive. The scope of theinvention should be determined by the appended claims and their legalequivalents, not by the above description, and all changes coming withinthe meaning and equivalency range of the appended claims are intended tobe embraced therein. It is obvious to those skilled in the art thatclaims that are not explicitly cited in each other in the appendedclaims may be presented in combination as an embodiment of the presentdisclosure or included as a new claim by a subsequent amendment afterthe application is filed.

INDUSTRIAL APPLICABILITY

The present disclosure is applicable to various wireless access systemsincluding a 3GPP system, a 3GPP2 system, and/or an IEEE 802.xx system.Besides these wireless access systems, the embodiments of the presentdisclosure are applicable to all technical fields in which the wirelessaccess systems find their applications.

The invention claimed is:
 1. A method for receiving downlink data by auser equipment (UE) in a wireless access system, the method comprising:receiving, by the UE, an enhanced physical downlink control channel(EPDCCH) within enhanced resource element groups (EREGs) in a timeresource within a subframe for an unlicensed band cell (UCell), whereinthe EPDCCH comprises control information on scheduling the UCell; andreceiving, by the UE, the downlink data on the UCell based on thecontrol information, the EREGs are indexed starting from a symbolincluded in the subframe, and a starting boundary of the time resourceis different from a starting boundary of the subframe and the symbol isdifferent from a 1st symbol of the subframe.
 2. The method of accordingto claim 1, wherein the time resource starts in a 2nd slot of thesubframe, and the symbol is a starting symbol of the 2nd slot.
 3. Themethod of claim 1, wherein a number of EREGs in an enhanced controlchannel element (ECCE) of the EPDCCH is fixed to a first value.
 4. Themethod of claim 3, wherein the first value is identified based on anumber of symbols in the time resource.
 5. The method of claim 1,wherein a number of EPDCCH candidates for detecting the EPDCCH ischanged based on a number of symbols in the time resource.
 6. The methodof claim 5, wherein the EPDCCH is configured based on a case 1 scheme incase of the number of the symbols in the time resource being equal to orless than a specific number, and wherein the EPDCCH is configured basedon a case 2 scheme in case of a number of EREGs in an enhanced controlchannel element (ECCE) of the EPDCCH being fixed to a second value. 7.The method of claim 6, wherein the EPDCCH is configured by increasing anumber of ECCEs in the EPDCCH in case of the EPDCCH being configuredbased on the case 1 scheme, and the EPDCCH is configured by reducing thenumber of the ECCEs in the EPDCCH in case of the EPDCCH being configuredbased on the case 2 scheme.
 8. A user equipment (UE) for receivingdownlink data in a wireless access system, the UE comprising: atransmitter; a receiver; and at least one processor coupled with thetransmitter and the receiver, wherein the at least one processor isconfigured to: receive an enhanced physical downlink control channel(EPDCCH) within enhanced resource element groups (EREGs) in a timeresource within a subframe for an unlicensed band cell (UCell), whereinthe EPDCCH comprises control information on scheduling the UCell; andreceive the downlink data on the UCell based on the control information,wherein the EREGs are indexed starting from a symbol included in thesubframe, and wherein a starting boundary of the time resource isdifferent from a starting boundary of the subframe and the symbol isdifferent from a 1st symbol of the subframe.
 9. The UE of claim 8,wherein the time resource starts in a 2nd slot of the subframe, and thesymbol is a starting symbol of the 2nd slot.
 10. The UE of claim 8,wherein a number of EREGs in an enhanced control channel element (ECCE)of the EPDCCH is fixed to a first value.
 11. The UE of claim 10, whereinthe first value is identified based on a number of symbols in the timeresource.
 12. The UE of claim 8, wherein a number of EPDCCH candidatesfor detecting the EPDCCH is changed based on a number of symbols in thetime resource.
 13. The UE of claim 12, wherein the EPDCCH is configuredbased on a case 1 scheme in case of the number of the symbols in thetime resource being equal to or less than a specific number, and whereinthe EPDCCH is configured based on a case 2 scheme in case of a number ofEREGs in an enhanced control channel element (ECCE) of the EPDCCH beingfixed to a second value.
 14. The UE of claim 13, wherein the EPDCCH isconfigured by increasing a number of ECCEs in the EPDCCH in case of theEPDCCH being configured based on the case 1 scheme, and the EPDCCH isconfigured by reducing the number of the ECCEs in the EPDCCH in case ofthe EPDCCH being configured based on the case 2 scheme.
 15. A basestation (BS) for transmitting downlink data in a wireless access system,the BS comprising: a transmitter; a receiver; and at least one processorcoupled with the transmitter and the receiver, wherein the at least oneprocessor is configured to: transmit an enhanced physical downlinkcontrol channel (EPDCCH) within enhanced resource element groups (EREGs)in a time resource within a subframe for an unlicensed band cell(UCell), wherein the EPDCCH comprises control information on schedulingthe UCell; and transmit the downlink data on the UCell based on thecontrol information, wherein the EREGs are indexed starting from asymbol included in the subframe, and wherein a starting boundary of thetime resource is different from a starting boundary of the subframe andthe symbol is different from a 1st symbol of the subframe.